Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels, Sept 29
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Apocalypse 12:7-12a / John 1:47-51
Daniel has a vision; Myriads attended the Ancient One.
Daniel says he saw "myriads upon myriads” attending the
Ancient One (God). Today's reading interprets “myriads” as referring to angels.
In the preface of every Mass, we join our voices to the “myriads upon myriads”
of angels when we say, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord ..."
***
How conscious are we of the fact that at Mass our prayer and
worship is being joined to that of the myriads of angels who praise God
constantly in heaven? “In the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I
will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. Psalm 138:1-2
***
We know that God loves us, that he protects us and guides us
to our destiny. In the Bible, angels are presented God’s messengers to people,
to help us to carry out God’s plans. The archangel Michael is mentioned in the
last book of the Bible as the angel who leads the fight against the power of
evil and who wants God’s work and Christ to overcome all evil. Gabriel is the
messenger of the Annunciation; Raphael is the angel companion and healer in the
Book of Tobias.
Angels, then, are the sign of God’s guiding love and concern
for us. We may not forget today also the many people who help and guide us in
many ways by their love and care. They too, are, so to speak, God’s angels to
us.
***
In the Bible, angels appear often. Angels are messengers
from God and they even act to carry out God's will, be it protecting people,
announcing to them a message or working out a miracle.
As much as angels appear often in the Bible, only three are named - Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - and they are given the title "archangels".
Michael in the Hebrew language means "Who is like unto God?" or "Who is equal to God?" St. Michael has been depicted from earliest Christian times as a commander, who holds in his right hand a spear with which he attacks Satan, and in his left hand a green palm branch to signify God's victory over evil. The Archangel Michael is especially considered to be the Guardian of the Orthodox Faith and a fighter against heresies.
Gabriel means "Man of God" or "Might of God." He is the herald of the mysteries of God, especially the Incarnation of God and all other mysteries related to it. He is depicted as holding a lantern in one hand and in the other hand, a mirror of green jasper. The mirror signifies the wisdom of God as a hidden mystery.
Raphael means "God's healing" or "God the Healer" (Tobit 3:17, 12:15). Raphael is depicted leading Tobit with his right hand, and holding a physician's alabaster jar in his left hand.
Each of these archangels performs a different mission in Scripture: Michael protects; Gabriel announces; Raphael guides and heals.
Through these archangels and also through the ministry of angels in general, God continues to be present to us to protect us, to guide us and heal us and to communicate with us.
We thank God for sending His love through these angels and
archangels and may we continue to pray to the archangels Michael,
Gabriel and Raphael to help and guide us through the journey of life.
***
The disciples did not understand what Jesus said or meant.
But they were afraid to ask him about it. That was disappointing. If there was
someone who could help them understand, it was Jesus himself. Why were they
afraid to ask him what he meant? Had they asked him, they would have been
better informed and better prepared for his suffering. They would not have
immediately engaged in silly behavior like they did. (Luke goes on to say that
an argument broke out among them as to who was the greatest.)
***
Do you have doubts when you stand before God in prayer? Do
you find it difficult to understand what God is communicating to you? If you
do, ask Him! To whom else shall we go? For, God has the words of eternal life
(Jn 6:68). Hasn’t Jesus said that if we asked, the Father would gladly give us
the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13) who makes everything intelligible to us? (Jn
16:13-15). In our confusions and concerns, let us confidently walk up to God
and ask Him.
***
Opening Prayer
Lord our God, you are our providence. We are sure that you
want to guide us to you, that you want to save us, that you love each of us
personally, as we are, and that you do everything you can do to make yourself
known to us. Whatever way you come to us and whoever your messengers are, may
we recognize you and accept you and love you in them. We ask this in the name
of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
