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Monday, September 29, 2003

Meditation
Revelation 12:7-12

The Archangels

Today, we commemorate the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The catechism tells us that angels are created spiritual beings with intellects and wills and that each angel is a unique and immortal heavenly being (CCC, 327-336).

The functions of these three archangels correspond to three major thrusts of Jesus’ ministry: announcing good news, healing the sick, and delivering the oppressed. Gabriel, whose name means “God is mighty,” is God’s messenger. He announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Savior. Raphael—whose name means “God heals”—is associated with God’s healing power in the Book of Tobit. Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?” delivers God’s people from oppression by doing battle with Satan (Revelation 12:7).

Though humans are “a little lower than angels,” our destiny is to be divinized in Christ and raised above even the angels (Psalm 8:4-6). Scripture tells us that the devil—who himself was once a mighty angel—rebelled against God out of envy because we were to be the “first fruits of all God created” (James 1:18; Wisdom 2:23-24; Revelation 12:3-9). So, if we want to protect ourselves, we need to be alert to the spiritual battle.

While Jesus has already defeated Satan and his fallen angels, they are still free to tempt and test us until Jesus comes again in glory. By understanding the seriousness of this battle, we can arm ourselves with the assurance that, through Jesus, we are incorporated into the Trinity. In Christ, nothing can overcome us. God’s angels are here to minister to our needs (Hebrews 1:14). As we celebrate the feast of the archangels today, let us wrap ourselves in Jesus’ love, ask his angels to help us, and thank God for his provision for us.

“Father, I praise you for the glory and splendor of your angels. I welcome them into my family, into the church, and into the world.”

One Bread, One Body

<< Monday, September 29, 2003 >>

Sts. Michael, Gabriel,
& Raphael

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

Psalm 138

John 1:47-51

View Readings

I’M GLAD THEY’RE INVISIBLE

“You shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” —John 1:51

Nathanael may have been able to see angels, but the Lord doesn’t choose to give this ability to most of us. One of the great things about archangels and angels is that they are invisible. Although we can see the effects of their actions, it is usually unclear what the angels are doing. For the most part, angels are a matter of faith, not sight (2 Cor 5:7).

Michael has warred and continues to war against Satan and his demons (see Rv 12:7). Due to Jesus’ ultimate victory through His death and resurrection, the war against Satan is already won. All that Michael and we have left to do is to put Jesus’ enemies beneath His feet (Heb 10:13). Nevertheless, we don’t always or easily see the victory of Jesus, nor do we see Michael merely mopping up after the war.

Gabriel revealed and reveals to us the Incarnation and its colossal consequences. In the Spirit, we can “grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love” (Eph 3:18). Yet how many of us feel we are basking in the light of divine revelation through Gabriel’s ministry?

Raphael is sent by the Lord to do many things, especially to heal. He particularly heals the eyes. Many of you are sick. You have asked the Lord to heal you. You may have even asked Raphael to bring healing to you. But you don’t see healing.

We must walk by faith, not by sight. God is loving us through the archangels, whether we know it or not. Believe God.

Prayer: Father, open the eyes of my heart (see Eph 1:18) to believe much more deeply in You, Your love, and Your angels.

Promise: “They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” —Rv 12:11

Praise: “I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord” (Tb 12:15).