According to the #CatsofTwitter today is #Caturday a day on which they post pictures of themselves and/or tell the world how they are spending their day!  Being owned by two such, I thought that maybe an 'angel cat' might be appropriate today (and also because  I am snowed under with other things to do).

The image was shared with me three years ago when Holly Cat died.  As it happens (I had to double check) today is indeed the anniversary of her death, so maybe it's OK to choose this image, or maybe I was 'prompted' to, who knows?

I like the sentiment of the image, that even as we grieve the loss of our loved ones, in some way, seen or unseen, God draws very close to us, to share our sorrow, and offer comfort.   Someone once told me they knew someone who believed that all cats are angels, not least because they tend to choose us, rather than we them.   Whatever you make of that thought, I think it has an echo at least of prevenient grace and divine love, that is there before we even know that we might seek it, and seeks us out when we least expect it.

God of all life, of all creation,

We can never fathom the mystery or the means of your grace

We can never comprehend the depth, height and length of your love

So all we can do is be grateful that your grace, mercy and love are from everlasting to everlasting

And can be brought to us by angels, who may, at least sometimes, look rather like cats...

What do you see when you look at this image?

A wet day in a city centre.  Something has been left on a bench.  An onlooker, arms folded - perhaps in disgust - stands nearby...

In monochrome, a person lies huddled up, under a blanket on a bench.  Another person, hood up against the rain, arms folded across their chest looks towards them...

A newly installed sculpture, 'the homeless Jesus', located at the back of St Geroge's Tron Church of Scotland, in Glasgow.  A young man stands silently studying it...

Jesus, cold and alone, sleeping on a park bench, watched over by an unlikely angel...

Yesterday, with two folk from church, I went to look at this newly installed artwork.  We paused on the corner opposite, and I snapped this photo - not great composition, it'd never win any prizes - but I was struck by the intentionality and intensity of the young man's study of the statue.

We walked over, and started to observe it for ourselves.  Other people passed by, some stopping to look at the sculpture, others hurrying on their way.  The young man, unbidden told us it was Jesus.  He shared with us a little of his own story, of homelessness and vulnerability, and how he now had a home (on a very fragile basis) where he was enjoying learning how to live independently.  He told us about the Bible study he attended in the church.  He told us how someone had asked to meet him at a nother nearby church with a very similar name, and that by mistake he'd come to this one, where he found welcome and acceptance.  We all shook hands and he headed off to his Bible study, and we to enjoy lunch in the Wild Olive Branch Cafe inside the church.

If angels are messengers from God, this man was an angel.  He brought us good news, of his own redeeemd and renewed life, of his love of Jesus, of the worth of the little we are able to offer.  I don't know his name, I didn't think to ask, but as he strode purposefully on his way, on a wet Thursday afternoon, I knew he was my 'angel' of the day.

Today's image comes from a website called Catholic Exchange.  The image is not attributed, so far as I could tell, but it was accompanied by a warm story of an English (British?) woman who sees angels.

The rich colours of the painting, along with the gaze of the angels is intriguing and beautiful.  I find myself drawn with their gaze seekig it's object - which I assume must be God or Christ, whilst wondering how they are depicted.

I think I saw an angel yesterday... not a golden winged creature, but someone who brought a message of hope and joy to another human.  He was no more than 5'4" tall (my height), clad in a military blazer, sharp hair cut, clean shaven, shiny shoes, and holding a charity bucket.  I was witness to a conversation he had with a friend of mine, who knows him through their work.  His humour, his bright eyes and easy smile, his very earthiness shone with love and life.

Why do I think he was an angel, when he was very clearly human? It's about timing, and  placing, and catching a moment in a way that could not be contrived or predicted.  Unlike the woman mentioned on the website, I don't 'see angels', if by angels we mean winged, supernatural creatures.  But, if we allow for coincidence (in it's true meaning of arising at the same time) of people and places, conversations that have a sense of 'aha' or 'hmm' then yes, I most certainly do.

Yesterday I met Angel Robert, and I'm glad I did.

Bit of a rush this morning, so a very quick post.

I did a search on 'homeless angel' and this by Banksy appeared.

It may shock you.  It may offend you.  It may intrigue you.

Called either "homeless angel" or "pissed angel" according to which website I sviewed, I think it's amazing.

I see it not as a 'fallen angel' but perhaps as a 'broken angel', sharing the despair of the "down and out".

God of the outcast and the poor,

God of the junkie and the whore

God of these fragile lives we are...

Send an angel to share our brokenness and bring us hope

(Words adapted from the song, "God of the Mpon and Stars")

Archangel Raphael seems to be depicted in gorgeous turquoise-green robes.  The healing angel (the "Rapha" bit means healer) who appears in the apocrypha/deautero-canonical book of Tobit.

Green is often seen as a colour of wholeness, healing and growth, which may explain the choice for Raphael.

Many people, I suspect, depending on their age, think of Raphael as the famous artist, or as one of the 'teenage mutant hero/ninja turtles'; few will be aware that the former is named after the angel, and the latter after the artist.

In western society, the meanings and significance of names has long been lost, with parents choosing names they like the sound of, or which have personal significane (relatives or celebrities).  Raphael serves as reminder of the power of names, in shaping expectations and informing lives.

If we could choose a 'virtue name' for oursleves, I wonder what it might be?  I wonder how knowing the significance/meaning of our name (chosen or given) might affect our attitudes and actions?

God of healing and wholeness,

Thank you for the story of Raphael, the angel of healing

Thank you for the potential significance of names in expressing values and aspirations,

Known to you by our names - the ones we choose for ourselves, not simply those given to us by others - help us to grow in grace, mercy and love,

Learning to be, and to become, the people you made us to be.

Amen.