Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, 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 ..."
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.)
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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.
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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
