When first created, the Holy Angels were not in their present state. They were very near to God, but they did not behold Him face to face. They had graces without number, but the grace of final perseverance was not assured to them from the first. They had to be tried: their obedience and submission had to be tested before they entered into their reward. All must be tried before they can receive their inheritance and their crown. Before I am admitted to the joys of Heaven, I must have trials and temptations. These are the prices to be paid for the treasure of eternal joy. How willingly I should accept them, seeing that this is God's universal law!

The Holy Angels are also our models. If we wish to serve God perfectly, all we have to do is to imitate them. Purity of heart is termed the angelic virtue. Perfect submission to God is the secret of their holiness and their continual joy. To say that any child of Adam lives an angelic life is the highest praise we can bestow on him. We pray continually: "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." Do I seek to imitate the Angels, and in what?

This test eliminated, from the ranks of the Angels, Lucifer and his rebel host. Michael and all the Holy Angels obeyed with joy, and received as their recompense the Beatific Vision and joy unspeakable to all eternity. How generous God is in His rewards! One momentary act of submission, and the Heaven of Heavens is its guerdon! How happy am I to have so generous a Master!