[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: John 1:47-51

The Archangels

You will see greater things than this. (John 1:50)

Nathanael was impressed. Jesus had seen him from afar and made an insightful assessment of his personality. In fact, he may have even been pleased that Jesus called him a true son of Israel. But Jesus tells him not to stop there. He had something even greater in mind: Nathanael would see heaven itself open up!

We have all had those moments when heaven seems to break into our everyday existence. Maybe we got a phone call from a long-lost friend, or had a solution to a problem present itself out of the blue. We might have felt the presence of the Lord at Mass, or had a particular Scripture passage touch our hearts deeply. We may have felt the Holy Spirit using us to help a coworker just when he or she needed encouragement. God was truly moving in our lives.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! The heavenly realities that Jesus wants us to experience, the “greater things” that he promised, are all about the reshaping of our hearts and minds. It’s no good seeing heaven opened if we aren’t changed so that we can begin to live a heavenly life on earth! The “flashes of heaven” we experience are meant to draw us toward Jesus. They are meant to give us glimpses of the intimacy God wants to have with us. God uses them to urge us to spend more time with Jesus, reflect on our priorities, and put aside whatever gets in his way.

It isn’t always easy to make these changes. The angels “ascending and descending” recalls the story of Jacob seeing angels going up and down a ladder in a dream, and shortly thereafter wrestling with God’s representative before receiving the name “Israel,” which means “one who strives with God” (Genesis 32:23-31). So a true child of Israel like Nathanael—or us—may end up struggling from time to time in order to let go of his plans and accept God’s will. But that’s okay. Because when the struggle is over and heaven breaks through, we end up much closer to Jesus. And we end up much more like him!

“Father, open my eyes to the ways that you are drawing me closer to you, so that I can be more like you. I want my life to reflect heaven here on earth!”

Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; Psalm 138:1-5

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

THE MIGHTY ARCHANGELS   

(A biblical reflection on the FEAST OF SAINTS  MICHAEL, GABRIEL and RAPHAEL, Archangels, Thursday 29 September 2011) 

First Reading: Rev 12:7-12a 

Alt. First Reading: Dan 7:9-10,13-14; Psalms: Ps 138:1-5; Gospel Reading: Jn 1:47-51 

The Scripture Text

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world – he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Rejoice then, O heaven and you that dwell therein! (Rev 12:7-12a RSV) 

Today we observe the feast of the archangels, mighty servants of God who play a crucial role in His plan of salvation. In an age when we tend to consider everything from an earthly perspective, a feast like today’s reminds us of the existence of “thrones, dominions, principalities, and authorities” (Col1:16), of “ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation” (Heb 1:14). 

Tradition holds that the mightiest of archangels is Michael, the warrior who fought against the rebellious Lucifer and cast him into hell. Like the other angels, Lucifer was created to serve and glorify God. But Lucifer chose not to be subject to his Creator. Along with a host of other angels, he denied God’s authority and fell from grace. Now, rather than serve God’s purposes and minister to His people, these fallen angels constitute a powerful force of evil, tempting us to forfeit our inheritance in Christ. 

The readings in today’s liturgy show us that spiritual warfare is a reality, and that it is only by the power of the cross and blood of Jesus that we can know victory. Filled with envy of our position in Christ, Satan “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour” (1Pet 5:8), and we need to stay alert to his subtle ways. Our best protection is to stay very close to Jesus by reading the word of God in the scriptures, praying, and receiving the sacraments. 

Saint Paulexhorted the Ephesians: “We are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). Therefore, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and resolve to fight the devil with the weapons of prayer, humility, and faith. Then, like our Master, angels will come and wait upon us, bringing God’s comfort and protection (Mt 4:11). 

Short Prayer: Lord God of hosts, in Your all-wise plan You assign to angels and to men the services they have to render You. Grant that the angels who adore You in heaven, may protect us here on earth. We make our prayer in the most precious name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.