Daniel 7:9-10.13-14,
PS 138:1-2AB, 2CDE-3, 4-5
John 1:47-51 Full Readings
Saints Michael, Gabriel, and RaphaelThe Archangels
Today the church celebrates the archangels, Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Who are they and why do we celebrate them? They are the unseen and unsoiled spirits poised at God’s command. Michael means “God’s healing.” We remember Archangel Michael who battles Satan to affirm God’s supremacy. We remember Gabriel who delivered the good news to Mary. We remember Raphael for his work as a healer in the home of Tobit. We never walk alone; we are surrounded by millions of angels!
Today we celebrate the feast of the three archangels who are mentioned in the Bible by name: Michael, the protector of the people of God, Gabriel, the messenger of good news and Raphael, the healer in the book of Tobit. This feast recalls the dedication of the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Rome in the fifth century.
An archangel is the second order of angels just above the guardian angels. In all, there are nine orders of celestial beings that we commonly refer to as angels and all nine of these orders are traditionally organized into three spheres. The entire hierarchy is traditionally organized this way:
Highest Sphere: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.
Middle Sphere: Dominions, Virtues and Powers.
Lower Sphere: Principalities, Archangels and Angels (Guardian Angels).
The hierarchy of these celestial beings is ordered in accord with their function and purpose. The highest of the beings, the Seraphim, were created solely for the purpose of surrounding the Throne of God in perpetual worship and adoration. The lowest of the beings, the Guardian Angels, were created for the purpose of caring for humans and communicating God’s messages. The Archangels, whom we honor today, were created for the purpose of bringing messages of great importance to us and to accomplish tasks of the highest importance in our lives.
Michael is well known as the archangel who was empowered by God to cast Lucifer out of Heaven. Lucifer is traditionally thought to be of the highest sphere of celestial beings (but wanted to become like God and had to be cast out) and, thus, being cast out by a lowly archangel was quite a humiliation.
Gabriel is well known for being the archangel who brought the message of the Incarnation to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
And Raphael, whose name means “God heals” is referred to in the Old Testament Book of Tobit and is said to have been sent to bring healing to Tobit’s eyes.
Though not much is known of these archangels, it’s important to believe in them, honor them and to pray to them. We pray to them because we believe God has entrusted them with a mission to help us bring healing, fight evil and proclaim the Word of God. Their power comes from God, but God has chosen to use the archangels, and all celestial beings, to accomplish His plan and purpose.
How often do you think about the Archangels and about your guardian angel? It appears Jesus often thinks of His angels, since He frequently refers to them in the Gospels. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, escorted by all the angels of heaven, He will sit upon His royal throne” (Mt 25:31). Seeing that angels enjoy such intimacy with the Lord, it’s incumbent upon us to further investigate our relationship with them. Angels are creatures, purely spirit and possessing superior intellect. “In Him everything in heaven and on earth was created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominations, principalities or powers; all were created through Him, and for Him” (Col 1:16). In God’s redemptive plan, He uses these messengers at many critical points in salvation history. Angels:
• protected Lot (Gn 19:15),
• saved Hagar and her child (Gn 21:17ff),
• stayed Abraham’s hand (Gn 22:11-12),
• announced the birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:11-13) and that of Jesus Himself (Lk 1:26-31),
• protected Jesus in His infancy (Mt 2:13),
• served Him in the desert (Mt 4:11), and
• strengthened Him in His agony in the garden (Lk 22:43).
*On this feast day, ask for the intercession of the Archangels. God’s powerful messengers will deliver your petition to the heavenly throne (see Rv 8:3).*
Let us Pray
Lord, thank You for the gift of the Archangels whom we honor today. Thank You for their powerful work in our lives. Help us to rely upon them and to love them for their service. Archangels, pray for us, heal us, teach us and protect us. Amen
Be blessed
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