ANGELIC HOSTS IN MISSION: ASCENDING AND DESCENDING.

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September 29, 2023. 
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. 

 

"You will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending." Jn 1:51 

A Chinese proverb says: “One more good man on earth is better than an extra angel in heaven.” And an Egyptian proverb adds: “When the angels appear, the devils run away.” 

Angels are not fiction. They are not fruits of human imagination. The Holy Scriptures do not miss the opportunity, from Genesis to the Apocalypse, to talk about them. They are divine beings, heavenly creatures at work in human realities and life. Our everyday life is under their guidance, protection, and company. They have the mission to bring us good news of God's proximity and love, God's healing when we are sick, and God's protection when we battle evil forces. 

They also have the mission to bring before God's throne, our petitions, and needs. In simple, they are mediators between God and man, with a mission of ascending and descending. 

The Lord Jesus makes this clear to Nathaniel, who is amazed at being known by the Lord. He says, "you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending." 

Let's focus our meditation on the mission of the Angels expressed in these two words, ASCENDING and DESCENDING. 

While celebrating the Holy Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the ascending and descending mission is the most visible and attractive. 

Who is Michael? How does he ascend and descend? Who is Gabriel? How does he ascend and descend? Who is Raphael? How does he ascend and descend? 

Michael [“Who is like God?”] appears in Daniel’s vision as “the great prince” who defends Israel against its enemies; in the book of Revelation, he leads God’s armies to final victory over the forces of evil. Devotion to Michael is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring Michael and the angels in the fifth century. Who is as powerful as God to fight our battles and protect us against the forces of evil? Michael is represented as a great fighter and the defender of God's children. 

Gabriel [“God is my Strength”] also makes an appearance in Daniel’s visions, announcing Michael’s role in God’s plan. His best-known appearance is an encounter with a young Jewish girl named Mary, who consents to bear the Messiah. We hear of him also in the apparition to Zachariah for the birth of John the Baptist. He is the bearer of God's good news to his people. 

Raphael’s [“Healing of God”] activity is narrated in the Book of Tobit. There he appears to guide Tobit’s son Tobiah through a series of fantastic adventures that lead to a threefold happy ending: Tobiah’s marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobit’s blindness, and the restoration of the family fortune. 

With these up-mentioned events, we can see, how the Holy Angels ascend and descend. Because they behold the face of God, they can bring his message to his people, and in return bring people's petitions and pleas to God. 

We said, starting that Angels and Archangels are not fiction or fruits of creativity. Nevertheless, today, we can no longer see them the way the Bible speaks about them. Except for the few, and very exceptional visions that occur today, how do the Angels work? How do they ascend and descend? It is through you and me, through people of goodwill and open heart. 

Every time that you do a good action, an action of love, and show concern to your brother or your sister in need, you become an angelic companion for them. Every time that you defend the rights of the poor and the weak against abuses and injustice, you become an angelic companion. When you say words that appease your brother’s heart and lead him to inner peace, the first step toward genuine healing, you become an angelic companion. When you do not contribute to gossip and ruin others' reputation and dignity, but rather defend them, you become their angelic companion. 

Just as heaven is filled with Angels, so too, the earth is supposed to be full of angelic companions, human beings with good hearts and souls that care for others. 

Unfortunately, we oftentimes choose to stand as devils and evil beings for others. Filled with the self and individualism, we set our personal interests above others and their rights. Instead of doing the work of ascending and descending, we choose to descend, and descend, and descend from evil to evil. This feast must challenge us. Let's be angelic beings for our fellow. The world needs more angels than devils. So do not be a little demon who ruins the life of others, but rather an angel who opens the door of hope.


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