Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 09-29-12, Feast, Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for September 29, 2012:

What does it mean to love our children? Of course it includes spending time listening to, looking after, feeding, washing, helping with homework, and correcting. BUT, spend more time looking for the good than reminding of the bad. This goes for spouses too.

Regnum Christi

Angelic Company

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Feast of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael, archangels

John 1: 47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him." Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Introductory Prayer:Lord, I approach this time of prayer earnestly. I believe that you have called me to be faithful and loving in your service. I thank you along with Mary, the saints and the holy angels for the marvelous works of creation. I will humbly try to reflect your greatness to all I meet today by honestly fulfilling my duty.

Petition: Lord, help me be an instrument of your peace and love.

1. Honesty Is the Best Policy: Once as Jesus spent the whole night in prayer, he searched for apostles that would be honest and sincere. Jesus took a liking to Nathanael when he discovered an Israelite without guile in his heart. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him. It seems that Jesus admired this angelic trait in men. As soon as he saw Philip bringing Nathanael forward to meet him, Jesus immediately noticed the virtue Nathanael lived. If I want to be highly thought of by Jesus, then I need to be sincere in mind and heart.

2. The Holy Angels: The Church venerates today the holy service of three of the archangels. They stand out for their honest love for God’s most holy will. With such fidelity, St. Gabriel faithfully delivered the most important messages of human history to Zacharias and Mary. St. Michael wrestled with Lucifer and cast him out of heaven. St. Raphael came to the aid of Tobias in the Old Testament. In these angels there isn’t any duplicity of heart. God asks them a favor and they truly fulfill it. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to implement our talents and gifts toward a service of this nature? Wouldn’t it be great to be honest instruments of God’s infinite love like these three archangels?

3. The Lord’s Gaze: Jesus looks into the heart and doesn’t judge by appearances. Christ’s gaze penetrated Nathanael on this occasion. Jesus penetrates the motives of my heart even though they are kept hidden from the others. Jesus is the first one to know if I am true to the faith I have received. If I am faithful to the dictates of my conscience and obey God’s lead, in private or in public, then I have nothing to hide and nothing to lose. If on the other hand, I am dwindling in my surrender to Christ by boredom and monotony, then it is about time I sought renewal. Christ needs me! How many are dying and fading away because they lack Christ and his love? I, in turn, have been graced by many special spiritual favors! Jesus gazes into my eyes and dreams of my fidelity and love.

Conversation with Christ:Lord, thank you for the example of these three archangels and of the holy apostles. The holy apostles ended up shedding their blood for you and the holy angels aid us on our journey towards you. Lord, seeing so many lacking the faith, I resolve to be your tireless instrument, like them, so that many may come to praise you for all eternity.

Resolution: I will visit the Eucharist (if this is impossible, then kneel before the crucifix) and repeat confidently, Lord I wish to be your instrument – help me!

Heeding the Call of Christ, the Truth

Homily of the Day
September 29th, 2012
Food For Thought

Saturday, September 29, 2012 by Food for Thought

FEAST OF ARCHANGELS MICHAEL, GABRIEL, AND RAPHAEL

FirstReading: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 Or: Rv 12:7-12ab
Psalm: Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5
Gospel: Jn 1:47-51

There have been lots of times that we have failed or disregarded God’s calling. We thought of it as just foolishness and our own imagination. God speaks to us in many manners. We can come to know more about Him from reading the Scriptures, or from listening to His teachings. He can also talk to us by using other people. He even uses innocent children to point out very relevant facts. In this manner, the impact becomes doubly more meaningful.

Jesus sought out Nathanael while under the fig tree. He was called to become an Apostle and a witness, Jesus saw an honest, true person in him, “a person without guile”. Can we live in this world free of lies? For people who are, Jesus promised to let them have a glimpse of heaven. That while here on earth, He encourages them to live out truly Christian lives, for angels will open the gates of heaven for them.

Will you be a Nathanael?

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, September 29, 2012 >>

Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and
Raphael, Archangels

Daniel 7:9-10, 13, 14 or
Revelation 12:7-12
View Readings

Psalm 138:1-5

John 1:47-51

JESUS, LORD OF THE ANGELS

"I solemnly assure you, you shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." —John 1:51

Out of myriads (Dn 7:10), even billions, of angels, the Bible reveals the names of only three — Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael is known for fighting the devil (Rv 12:7). Gabriel enlightened Mary about the Incarnation (Lk 1:26). Raphael restored sight to Tobit (Tb 11:7ff). To make it easy to remember, Michael helps us in the fight, Gabriel gives us light, and Raphael restores our sight physically and especially spiritually.

The purpose of the fight is to advance the kingdom of Jesus. The light is for knowing Jesus' will, and sight is to see Jesus' face (see 1 Cor 13:12). All angelic activity is focused on Jesus. The angels ascended and descended on Jesus, the Son of Man, while He was on earth (Jn 1:51). In heaven, all the angels cry out before Jesus' throne: "Worthy is the Lamb That was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and praise!" (Rv 5:12)

Jesus is the Center of attention for the angels. If He is the Center of attention for us, we will experience the activity of the angels. The closer we are to Jesus, the more we are involved with Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael — and the more we need to fight the devil, see the light of revelation, and have clear spiritual sight. Knowing the names and ministries of the three archangels is centered on knowing the Person and name of Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, as I worship at Your throne, help me to notice the angels worshipping with me.

Promise: "In the presence of the angels I will sing Your praise." —Ps 138:1

Praise: St. Michael was the principal fighter against the devil in the heavenly battle (Rv 12:7). Praise You, Lord, for sending mighty angels to guard us.

Each “+” (cross) represents 10,000 deaths (or fraction thereof)

Revolutionary War 6,188
+

War of 1812 4,505
+

Mexican War 4,152
+

U. S. Civil War (both sides) 498,332
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Spanish-American War 2,446
+

World War I 116,516
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World War II 405,399
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Korea 54,246
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Vietnam 58,167
+ + + + + +

Desert Storm 293
+

Afghanistan/Iraq Liberation 3,500
+

Grand Total all U.S. Wars 1,150,744
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Abortions in the U.S. (Since Roe v. Wade in 1973) 54,559,615
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