GOD AND HIS ANGELS

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September 29, 2022.
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels.

Readings: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; OR: Rv 12:7-12ab; Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5; Jn 1:47-51.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (Jn 1:51)

An Egyptian proverb says: “When the Angels arrive, the devils leave.” And a Polish proverb adds: “Nowadays you must go to heaven to meet an angel.”

Heaven is not a place of a solitary Old Man with white bear. It is rather a place of community and communion. God reigns surrounded by heavenly creatures that we call Angels and Archangels according to their rank and the mission entrusted to them.

We are celebrating today the Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, and the question someone could be tempted to ask is are they real? Are the Angels and Archangels not a religious invention? The Catechism will help answer: “In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the Roman Canon's Supplices te rogamus... ["Almighty God, we pray that your angel..."]; in the funeral liturgy's In Paradisum deducant te angeli... ["May the angels lead you into Paradise..."]). Moreover, in the "Cherubic Hymn" of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels).” CCC 335. 

Angels are our companions in adoring the Lord. They act with us in respect to what they are sent for, or, to say it best, their presence manifests to us one attribute of God. Michael speaks of the greatness and the inequality of God (who is like God). He is the Archangel who fought Satan. He stands as the protector of the people and reminds the faithful of the real existence of the Devil and demonic activity. Michael is invoked for protection from the snares of the Devil.

Gabriel speaks of God's strength and prodigious presence and works (God is my strength). He is the one sent to announce to Zechariah the birth of John and to Mary and Joseph the birth Jesus.

Raphael reveals the healing power of God (Medicine of God). He is the Archangel who cared for Tobias on his journey. Every person on his pilgrimage through life also needs a companion and when confronted to sickness, healing. 

These three Archangels are our companions in fighting the battles of life, facing our uncertainties, and restoring our fainting bodies and souls.

While celebrating them, we are called to join them in singing the mighty and powerful presence and action of God in our midst and in our lives. Because they behold his presence and listen to his voice, they can teach us about his will and lead us to correspond unto it.

The readings given for our today's meditation tell us that Angels and Archangels are real and existing beings. They are not an imagination. Daniel in his apocalyptic visions speaks of thousands upon thousands ministering to the Lord in His Heaven, in front of his Holy and Glorious Throne. St. John in another apocalyptic vision speaks of the final great battle opposing Michael and his Angels against the dragon and his angels. It is a battle to put an end to evil and open mankind to salvation and freedom from sin. The Lord Jesus in the Gospel tells Nathaniel and so to you and me that Angels and Archangels are present by our side and moving between heaven and earth executing the mission the Lord entrusted to them.

Let us ask Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael to be always by our side, protect and defend us, bring us good news of God's love, and heal our souls and bodies.



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