Frances Hogan is a lay missionary and educator working in the Catholic Church since the late 60's. She worked as a missionary in West Africa for some years. She has taught in schools in Africa and Ireland. From the mid-80's she lectured in the Milltown Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Dublin, and served four years on the Theological Commission of the Bishops. She is also trained as a Spiritual Director and Retreat giver.
Since the '80s Frances has written ten books, now out of print. Over the years Frances has made many teachings on Scripture and the Spiritual Life available for sale on hundreds of cassettes. The current list is available in her online shop, now only available in digital format on franceshogan.com
Frances no longer gives Missions in parishes, as well as Retreats and Seminars to people mainly in the English-speaking world. She continues to give Scripture classes from her home.
Mt. 1v20 says, "The Angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in a dream." The same Angel of the Lord appears in two further dreams, AFTER the birth of the Lord.
Lk.1:11 says, "the angel of the Lord standing on the right of the altar of incense."
I find this a little confusing when we look at the Angel of the Lord in today's teaching.
Can you enlighten me please Francis? I found this quite confusing when you talked of this in Joshua, but kept quiet, as I didn't want look ignorant then.
Thank you. David
There is a great difference between the "angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
In the OT we are thousands of years before Christ. He is the Eternal Word who was to become Incarnate at the due time. He prepared the way for Himself by revealing Himself to certain chosen people, but He Himself WAS that Word.
He is also the Second Person of the Godhead. In His manifestations He used the Angels as His announcers. We read frequently: "the angel of the Lord appeared.......and then GOD spoke" Since the angel is not God, but a creature, he announcers God's Presence to Abraham (for example).
In the New Testament it is different. The Word is about to become Incarnate so the Angel Gabriel is sent to announce this good news to the chosen Mother.
Throughout the NT Angels are seen frequently for several reasons:
1) Jesus is the King of the angelic world so they surround their King with praise - as in the Birth of Jesus. In fact, they are "all over" the Birth, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, especially in Luke's Gospel.
2) Jesus told Pilate that He could call upon thousands of Angels to defend Him if He wished, but He didn't because that would have prevented our Redemption!
3) The Angels in NT also represent US!! An angel is a messenger from God who announces the Good News of Salvation to Humanity.
Once they announce the Birth of the Lord the message is picked up by the shepherds and then they announce it to the people of Bethlehem (Luke 2). They told the people that they could not stop speaking about what they had seen and heard.
Now go to the Resurrection account in Luke: there you find that the Apostles have become the NEW SHEPHERDS who are the "ANGELS" announcing the Good News to the whole world!
We are called to be the Lord's "angels" to others. This has been understood since the beginning of the Church. We say to a person who has been good to us: "You are an angel "!
There is a lot more, but I hope this helps you to see the difference between both testaments.
United in JMJ
Frances
rose kaniper
4:59 PM - Thursday - February 9, 2023
HI I PREFER HAVING THE NOTES WHILE LISTENING TO FRANCES BUT AM UNABLE TO DO SO FOR 12+ HOURS (LAST WEEK, 24+ HOURS) AFTER HER BROADCAST. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET THESE NOTES SOONER???? I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO FOR FRANCES AND FOR US -- SO, NOT COMPLAINING, JUST ASKING. MANY THANKS, ROSE