Why Did God Make Angels?

Question

Why did God create angels? If we (humans) are the crown jewel of all creation, why did he even have to create angels before us? 

Answer

God is love. Far from being a somewhat worn and trite phrase, God actually is love. The very essence of the Holy Trinity is the love between the Father and the Son personified in the Holy Spirit. So, when we say that God is love, we speak of his essence.

But love always desires to give — to be life-giving and generous, never selfish. This, I think, is one way of approaching the great mystery of creation. God created the heavens and the earth because it is in his nature to create — it reflects his love.

When we look at all the facets of creation – from rocks to comets, from giant squid to human beings, we see this divine love in action. It is, of course, easy to behold the beauty of the earth which we readily perceive with our five senses.

But God also created the spiritual world which is ordinarily beyond the senses. And in this spiritual world are the angels who, like human beings, have been created by God for some purpose. Angels are spiritual beings which ordinarily do not have bodies or take form. The word “angel” means messenger. They are indeed messengers, as well as servants, warriors and adorers of God. Certain angels were created just for you and for me to guide us along the way of life.

Now, angels are highly intelligent beings. And because they are pure spirits, their minds are completely focused, unaffected by the material world. Thus, when presented with a choice to be obedient to God or not, some angels chose disobedience. Satan, also known as the devil, and his demonic minions, are fallen angels who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. But why did some of the angels fall?

Yes, the angels are among God’s highest creation because they possess both sublime knowledge and great power. However, they are not made in the image and likeness of God as human beings are. Even though human beings are weak and often slow-witted compared to the pure spiritual power of an angel, Jesus came to save us, and not them. He assumed a human, not angelic, nature in order to save us by dying on the cross. Thus, out of jealousy of Jesus Christ and his saving action on the cross, dying for us mere humans, some angels became disobedient to God. And this battle for souls has continued to this very day.

All of this is rather mysterious, I know. But God is love — and from this love comes a creation that is ordered and very beautiful. The angels are another manifestation of his great love.

by Rev. John Girotti | The Compass | September 25, 2020 

Fr. Girotti is the Vicar for Canonical Services and Associate Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Green Bay Wisconsin.