Jesus said, The angels and the prophets will come to you and give to you those things you (already) have. And you too, give them those things which you have, and say to yourselves, ‘When will they come and take what is theirs?’ (88)
Part of the cosmic order includes the existence of a hierarchy which watches over the evolution of those just beneath them on the evolutionary ladder. In this way they, too, evolve upward for even in the higher worlds the order is: “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39). Human beings are meant to spiritually foster the plant and animal life as well as the general life sphere of the earth itself. In the same way the angels and saints are appointed to assist human beings in their spiritual development.
The angels and the prophets will come to you and give to you those things you (already) have. Those who resolve to lead the higher life immediately attract the attention of those angels and saints whose task it is to protect and guide those who truly desire ascension in consciousness. It is good if the aspirant is aware of this and prays to them frequently and is aware of their patronage that comes to those who ask for it. Learning about saints and angels is a vital part of the Christian’s spiritual life, especially those of esoteric perspective, because the assistance of these holy beings can contribute tremendously to success in all spiritual endeavors.
Though they help us greatly, yet it is as Jesus says: they give us what is ours already, but of which we were not previously aware. For example, a person of esoteric bent may be so absorbed in metaphysical forces and practices that he forgets the great power of simple, heartfelt prayer to God and his saints and angels. That power is inherent in him, but he does not realize the magnitude of such a simple thing as prayer. So they inspire him to pray and his inner resources make it effective. In that way they give us what is ours already. Especially assuming that the Christian is one that has access to a full sacramental life, there is much of his inner resources that remain to be shown him by his sacred patrons. (See The Yoga of the Sacraments.)
And you too, give them those things which you have. By heeding and forming a bond of spiritual friendship with them we “give” them what we have.
And say to yourselves, When will they come and take what is theirs? If we are totally faithful in our cooperation with our blessed helpers, then the higher powers that are fully manifest in them will begin to arise in us, and we will become more like the saints and angels and begin to yearn for the time when, as Jesus promised, “they may receive you into everlasting habitations” (Luke 16:9) where we shall join their ranks and then in turn begin helping those remaining on earth in their journey to ascension to higher worlds so like Rumi we will be able to say: “Thus o’er the angels’ world I wing my way onwards and upwards, unto boundless lights.”
Read the next article in the Gospel of Thomas for Yogis: Twofold Life