Readings & Reflections: Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels, September 29,2020

The word “angel” comes from angelus, Latin for “messenger.” The Archangel Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are God’s envoys. Gabriel, “the strength of God,” appears in the Book of Daniel and again in Luke, where he bears tidings of hope to Zechariah and then to Mary. Tradition also identifies Gabriel as the angel who appeared to Joseph and to the shepherds, and the comforter of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Gabriel, God’s strength is manifested as tenderness: “Do not be afraid,” he tells Mary (Lk 1:30). And to the shepherds: “I proclaim to you good news of great joy!” (Lk 2:10). On this date the Church remembers the three archangels mentioned in Scripture by name: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael, whose name literally means “Who can compare to God?”, manifests God’s power and might. He battles Satan, the huge dragon, the ancient Serpent (Rev 12:9), and casts him from heaven. Michael guards the people of God (cf. Dn 12:1), defends the souls of the just, and bears them to their final judgment. In 1886, Pope Leo XIII composed the “Saint Michael Prayer” that was said at the end of the Mass until 1968.

Please click this link to read the Saint Michael Prayer by Pope Leo XIII

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Opening Prayer

“Heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to heaven for us.  As you revealed yourself to your beloved Patriarchs and Apostles, so reveal yourself to me that I may glorify you in my daily life.  May I always find joy in your presence and never lose sight of the kingdom of heaven.” Amen.

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September 29,2020

September 29,2020 New York City

September 29,2020 Toronto, Canada

Reading I
Dn 7:9-10, 13-14

As I watched:

Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.

The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw

One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
The word of the Lord.

or

Rv 12:7-12ab

War broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.

For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them.”

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5

(1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD:
“Great is the glory of the LORD.”
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia. Bless the Lord, all you angels,/ you ministers, who do his will. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
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 heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Reflection 1 – True child of Israel

“Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.”

In our faith, we should be single-faced! Duplicity has no place in Christianity! As in Luke 16:13 says, “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Jesus even said that we should be like children to enter the kingdom of God implying we should have the innocence of a child, a childlike candor, completely candid.  Our lives as Christians should be lived so candidly providing no room for duplicity, no dishonesty.

Duplicity means two. Serving God and mammon is serving two masters…a classic case of duplicity. Judas Iscariot, was duplicity incarnated. He was so double faced that even the other disciples did not know that he was the traitor. Judas had lived with Jesus and the 11 disciples for three years yet he was able to fool them so completely that they did not know which one was the traitor when the showdown came.

Today our Heavenly Father is asking us to examine how duplicity has played a key role in our relationship with one another and with Him.  He wants us to know what was or is the slickest piece of duplicity we have in us so that we may repent of them. How many faces do we have when we relate with our brethren in community? How about our masks and pretensions that point to our hypocrisy?

Let us not be two-faced but ask God for the grace to be able to stand by our faith and not change faces with the occasion. Let us not show one face to God and His church and another face to the enemies of Jesus for that is the highest form of duplicity. We must be without duplicity, dishonesty and hypocrisy. Each one of us has only one face, one identity as a child of God and a Christian. “What you see is what you get.” Transparency is what we need to pursue. 

The Holy Scripture mentioned the angels beginning from the Book of Genesis up to the Book of Revelation. Our faith teaches that angels are a part of God’s invisible creation and we refer to angels in the Creed at Mass when we pray: “We believe in one God… Maker… of all that is seen and unseen.”  We refer to them at the start of the Mass when we pray at some occasions, “I ask Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and saints, and you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God.”

The word angel means messenger and the bible portrays angels as God’s messengers to His people. They are spirits who serve God and whom He sends to His people to help, guard and keep away them from danger. The bible states that it was an angel (Gabriel) whom God sent to Mary to bring her the good news that she was to be the mother of Jesus. It was an angel whom God used to advise Joseph that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. It was also an angel who came upon Joseph to alert him that he had to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. It was also an angel who appeared to the shepherds and said, not to fear for in David’s city a savior was born, the Messiah and Lord. It was also an angel that announced the birth of John to his father Zechariah.

Today we celebrate the feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels. Let us pray to them that we also experience the love and concern of the Father as Jesus experienced it in His lifetime.

Direction

How firm is our belief in God’s loving concern for us, as manifested by His ministering angels all around us? Faith in God is the only alternative just as Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life. Always turn to our Lord when feeling weak and without hope.

Pretension leads to duplicity. Transparency is right way.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, in your kindness, always strengthen my faith. In Jesus, I hope and pray. Amen

Reflection 2 – Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

The Holy Scripture mentioned the angels beginning from the Book of Genesis up to the Book of Revelation. Our faith teaches that angels are a part of God’s invisible creation and we refer to angels in the Creed at Mass when we pray: “We believe in one God… Maker… of all that is seen and unseen.”  We refer to them at the start of the Mass when we pray at some occasions, “I ask Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and saints, and you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God.”

Today we celebrate the feast of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the archangels.  God sends out powerful messengers to tackle the problems of the world. Michael, whom we meet in today’s first reading (Dn 7:9-10, 13-14), has long been seen as a powerful soldier, taking on all of Satan’s armies. Raphael is perhaps less well-known. The most extended biblical reference is in the Book of Tobit, where he guides Tobiah on his journey to find a wife for himself and healing for his father. And Gabriel, of course, is the great messenger. In the Gospels, Gabriel brings the promise of salvation to Elizabeth and Zechariah, to Mary and Joseph. And that promise of salvation becomes incarnate in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

Our experience of Jesus puts even the great archangels in shadow. He tells Nathanael that he will see even greater things than Jacob’s vision of angels ascending and descending the stairway to heaven. He will see healings far more miraculous than the folkloric tale of Raphael. He will hear the message of the kingdom announced, not to a select few individuals, but to all people for all time. And he will see a power in Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection far greater than Michael and all the angelic armies.

The Gospel reminds us that Christ’s power lies in humility, in service to God and one another, in the great command of love. The feast of the archangels reminds us that while we sometimes long for the spectacular, we shouldn’t let this longing blind us to the more ordinary miracles of our lives as children of God. And so, while we might wish for spectacular feats of power on the part of God and his angelic hosts, the Eucharist represents the greatest power imaginable, all God’s love for us contained in a tiny Host. (Source: Diane M. Houdek, Weekday Homily Helps. Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press, September 29, 2010).

Prayer to St. Michael:

“St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”

Reflection 3 – The angels of God

What does Jesus mean when he says “you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man”? One of the most remarkable revelations recorded in the bible is the dream of Jacob (Gen 28:12-17). In Jacob’s dream God revealed his angelic host and showed him the throne of heaven and promised Jacob that he and descendants would dwell with the living God.

Who are the angels and why do they intervene between heaven and earth? The scriptures tell us the angels are God’s servants and messengers. “They are the mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word” (Ps 103:20). The angels belong to Christ and were created for and through him (Col. 1:16). The Letter to the Hebrews speaks of the role of the angels in God’s plan of salvation: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?” (Heb 1:14). The angels are not only messengers but protectors as well. “For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways” (Ps 91:11). We are not alone in our struggle against sin and evil in the world. The armies of heaven fight for us and with us in this spiritual battle for our hearts, minds, and wills.

Jesus’ response to Nathanial’s new faith is the promise that Jesus himself will be the “ladder which unites earth with heaven.” Jesus proclaims that he is the fulfillment of the promise made to the Patriarch Jacob and his descendants. Jesus is the true ladder or stairway to heaven. In Jesus’ incarnation, the divine Son of God taking on human flesh for our sake, we see the union of heaven and earth – God making his dwelling with us and bringing us into the heavenly reality of his kingdom. Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection opens the way for each of us to come into a new relationship with God as his sons and daughters. The Lord Jesus opens the way for each of us to “ascend to heaven” and to bring “heaven to earth” in the daily circumstances of our lives. God’s kingdom is present in those who seek him and who do his will. Through the gift of faith God opens a door for us to the heavenly reality of his kingdom.

Do you see and believe the heavenly reality with the “eyes of faith”? Let’s us ask the Lord in a prayer. “Heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to heaven for us. As you revealed yourself to your beloved patriarchs and apostles, so reveal yourself to me that I may glorify you in my daily life. May I always find joy in your presence and never lose sight of the kingdom of heaven.”

Reflection 4 – You will see the angels of God

What would you give to see beyond the visible – to “see heaven opened and to behold the angels” who stand in God’s presence? When Philip brought his friend Nathanael to see Jesus, Jesus did the unthinkable! He brought revelation to Nathanael – revelation of how God looks at each one of us in the very depths of our hearts and invites us into intimate communion with him in his heavenly court. Nathanael was very startled that Jesus could know him and understand what was in his heart even before Nathanael had the opportunity to speak with Jesus.

God’s word brings blessing and refreshment for those who reflect on it
What is the significance of Jesus’ revelation of seeing Nathanael “under the fig tree”? For the people of Israel, the fig tree was a symbol of God’s peace and blessing (1 Kings 4:24b-25, Micah 4:4). It provided shade from the midday sun and a cool refreshing place to retreat, pray, and reflect on God’s word. Rabbis often gathered their disciples under the shade of the fig to teach them the wisdom and revelation of God from the Scriptures. The rabbis had an expression for comparing the fig tree to being nourished with God’s word in Scripture, “He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit.”

Jesus offers the greatest gift possible – peace and friendship with God
It is very likely that Nathanial had been thinking about God “under his fig tree” and reflecting on God’s promise in the Scriptures to send a Messiah King who would free his people from sin and oppression and usher in God’s kingdom of righteousness and peace for the whole world. Perhaps Nathanael dozed off for a midday nap and dreamt of God’s kingdom like Jacob had dreamt when God gave him a vision of a great ladder which united earth with heaven (see Genesis 28:12-17). Through the gift of revelation Nathanael recognized that Jesus was truly the Messiah, the everlasting “Son of God and King of Israel” (John 1:49).  The Lord Jesus offered to Nathanael the greatest gift possible – the gift of friendship with God and free access to God’s throne in heaven.

Jesus promises that we will dwell with the living God
What does Jesus mean when he says “you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man”? One of the most remarkable revelations recorded in the bible is the dream of Jacob (Genesis 28:12-17). God had opened a door for Jacob that brought him and his people into a new relationship with the living God. In Jacob’s dream God revealed his angelic host and showed him the throne of heaven and promised Jacob that he and his descendants would dwell with the living God.

God’s angels serve us
Who are the angels and why do they intervene between heaven and earth? The Scriptures tell us the angels are God’s servants and messengers. “They are the mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word” (Psalm 103:20). The angels belong to Christ and were created for and through him (Colossians 1:16). The Letter to the Hebrews speaks of the role of the angels in God’s plan of salvation: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)

God’s angels watch over us as his guardians
The angels are not only messengers but protectors and guardians as well. “For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all yours ways” (Psalm 91:11). We are not alone in our struggle against sin and evil in the world. The armies of heaven fight for us and with us in the spiritual battle for our hearts, minds, and wills. Do you know the peace and security of a life submitted to God and to his way of peace and happiness?

Jesus, the Son of God, unites earth and heaven in himself 
Jesus’ response to Nathanael’s new faith is the promise that Jesus himself will be the “ladder which unites earth with heaven.” Jesus proclaims that he is the fulfillment of the promise made to the Patriarch Jacob and his descendants. Jesus is the true ladder or stairway to heaven. In Jesus’ incarnation, the divine Son of God taking on human flesh for our sake, we see the union of heaven and earth – God making his dwelling with us and bringing us into the heavenly reality of his kingdom through his Son Jesus.

Jesus gives us free access to God’s presence
Jesus’ death on the cross, where he defeated sin and won new life for us through his resurrection, opens the way for each of us to come into a new relationship with God as his adopted sons and daughters. The Lord Jesus opens the way for each one of us to “ascend to heaven” and to bring “heaven to earth” in the daily circumstances of our lives. God’s kingdom is present in those who seek him and who strive to do his will. Through the gift of faith God opens a door for each one of us to the heavenly reality of his kingdom. Do you see with the “eyes of faith” what the Lord Jesus has done for us?

“Heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to heaven for us. As you revealed yourself to your beloved patriarchs and apostles, so reveal yourself to me that I may recognize your presence with me and know the power of your kingdom at work in my life. May I always find joy in your presence and never lose sight of your kingdom.” – Read the source: https://www.dailyscripture.net/readings/CalYear2020/sep29a.htm

Reflection 5 – The angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man

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.”

Today is the feast of the saints who have no relics. This is because they have no physical body. They are pure spirits since they are angels. The word ‘angel’ means ‘messenger’. They are messengers of God to His people. When the message is of great significance for the salvation of mankind, they are called archangels, as in the case of St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael. Michael is mentioned in Jude 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Revelation 12:7-9. Gabriel is the angel who brought the message to Mary in Luke 1:26ff. Raphael is referred to in the Book of Tobit.

The New Testament mentions the angels frequently. Angels delivered messages to Mary, Joseph, Zechariah and to the shepherds at Bethlehem. There are angels ministering to Jesus during his forty-day fast in the desert as well as during his agony in the Garden. An angel was at the tomb of Jesus after His resurrection. And in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter was freed from prison by an angel.

There are many other instances in the Bible where the presence and powerful actions of the angels of God are recorded. These are abundant proofs of the existence of these heavenly spirits. They are for real even though they are invisible to us most of the time.

Unfortunately, there are people who are skeptical and even cynical towards them. Many think that angels are only for children, just like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. They believe more in evil spirits and other characters of darkness than in the heavenly spirits. That is why, stories and movies like Harry Potter, Walking Dead and all those about vampires, ghosts, and other ghastly creatures are highly patronized by people. And this makes the devil more powerful in our time, and the first likely victims are these people.

There are two important points we have to remember every time we think about angels. First, they are proofs of God’s love for us. The Bible is replete with stories of how angels intervened in the lives of God’s people to help and save them: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Heb 1:14). They are spirits who ‘minister’ or serve the People of God.

And second, they are signs of God’s almighty power to protect and defend His people. He does not want us to be harmed and deceived by the enemy. So, He sends angels to protect and guide us. The Bible tells us that the angels of God always prevail against the forces of the devil. They cannot lose because they have the power of God.

As we celebrate today the feast of the archangels, let us reflect on some important lessons. First, let us always stay vigilant. St. Peter gives this serious warning: “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour” (1Pet 5:7-8). And St. Cyprian describes his strategy: “He encircles each one of us like an enemy besieging a fortress examining the walls to find a weak spot at which to launch an attack.”

However, this should not frighten us. God is with us at all times. And His holy angels will always overcome the enemy. The reading from the Book of Revelation assures us of this. Michael, the Prince of the heavenly host, leads in the battle against Satan and emerges victorious. Victory is always certain for us who are on the side of God. As St. Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). No reason, then, to worry or be afraid. We just have to call on the angels, and they will surely come to help us.

And the weapon that can finally defeat the devil is no other than humility and obedience to God. If Satan, in his pride vows, “Non serviam” (I will not serve), we, in turn, should never cease repeating the Blessed Mother’s response to the angel Gabriel: “Be it done unto me according to your word.” Humility and obedience are our key to victory. As St. Augustine said: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”

Let us, then, resolve to call upon the angels, especially the archangels, all the time. May we never doubt the active presence and divine power of the angels. Before Vatican II, the Prayer to St. Michael is always recited at the end of the Mass. But it was abolished after the liturgical reform of Vatican II.

However, we are constantly encouraged to recite this prayer regularly every day. In fact, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, in a Circular Letter, “HIGHLY RECOMMENDS the recitation of the PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL composed by Pope Leo XIII at every Mass celebrated in all churches in the Philippines.” (Sept 25, 2013, Circular Letter No. 04 – s. 2013). Let us earnestly heed the call of the Bishops to recite together the Prayer to St. Michael after each Mass, and be assured of God’s help and protection through the angels. (Source: Fr. Mike Lagrimas, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Amsterdam St., Capitol Park Homes, Matandang Balara, Quezon City 1119).

Reflection 6 – The ministry of angels

What kind of relationship do you have with your personal angels? Are you aware that you might have more than one angel working for you, according to your needs and prayer requests and the work you do for God’s kingdom? Do you realize that even the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael know who you are and, because of this, they want to be involved in God’s plans for you?

Belief in angels is popular even among non-Christians, but unless it unites us to Jesus, it can do more harm than good. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus says, “You shall see heaven open up and the angels of God ascend and descend on the Son of Man.”

The word “you” in the original Greek is plural; it’s meant for all of us. Jesus wants us to know that angels travel between heaven and earth to work for our benefit, but their ministry depends upon him. Angels deliver God’s messages to us. Angels help us every day, in big ways and in small ways. Angels love us; they enjoy assisting us – but only through Jesus and under the authority of Jesus.

When the archangel Michael battled the dragon, as depicted in Rev. 12:7-12, he defeated Satan and his minions because of the future victory that Jesus would win on the cross. The holy angels defeated the evil ones “by the blood of the Lamb” that would be shed millennia later for our sake. Their victory depended upon what Jesus was eventually going to do for us.

Today’s responsorial psalm is a song with the angels. Whenever we praise God, angels sing with us. If we praise God in the midst of difficulties, angels surround us in a chorus that fills the air with their trust in God and their love for us and their holiness. Then, evil spirits won’t stay near us! Why not? Because this trust and love and holiness surrounds us with the presence of Jesus. He is always in the midst of our praise.

No concern of yours is too small – nor too big – for your angels. Have you lost something? Ask your ministering angels to lead you to it. Are you waiting to get through the red tape of bureaucratic paperwork? Send an angel to put your papers on the top of the pile. Are you going on a long drive? Ask the angels to clear the way before you. Ever need a parking space near the store on a rainy day? Ask an angel to go save a spot for you. Try it, it works!

Angels listen to us and wait for permission to minister to us. We need to ask them for their help. I rely on this fact daily, with good results every time! For example, once when I was in the Holy Land, our group was climbing a steep hill and I was running out of breath and energy. I said, “Ministering angels, push me!” Immediately, I moved faster and easier to the top of the hill. What a great witness to the exhausted people who heard me and saw the results! Read the source: https://gnm.org/good-news-reflections/?useDrDate=2020-09-29

Reflection 7 – Working with angels

Reflection 8 – Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

Video on St. Michael, the archangel and the angels. To watch, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=1165

Video on Angels by Archbishop Fulton Sheen. To watch, please click this link: http://www.pagadiandiocese.org/?p=2072

Angels—messengers from God—appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are named.

Michael appears in Daniel’s vision as “the great prince” who defends Israel against its enemies; in the Book of Revelation, he leads God’s armies to final victory over the forces of evil. Devotion to Michael is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring Michael and the angels in the fifth century.

Gabriel also makes an appearance in Daniel’s visions, announcing Michael’s role in God’s plan. His best-known appearance is an encounter with a young Jewish girl named Mary, who consents to bear the Messiah.

Raphael’s activity is confined to the Old Testament story of Tobit. There he appears to guide Tobit’s son Tobiah through a series of fantastic adventures which lead to a threefold happy ending: Tobiah’s marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobit’s blindness and the restoration of the family fortune.

The memorials of Gabriel (March 24) and Raphael (October 24) were added to the Roman calendar in 1921. The 1970 revision of the calendar joined their feasts to Michael’s.

Comment:

Each of these archangels performs a different mission in Scripture: Michael protects; Gabriel announces; Raphael guides. Earlier belief that inexplicable events were due to the actions of spiritual beings has given way to a scientific world-view and a different sense of cause and effect. Yet believers still experience God’s protection, communication and guidance in ways which defy description. We cannot dismiss angels too lightly.

Quote:

“For the honor we pay the angelic creatures in whom you delight redounds to your own surpassing glory, and by their great dignity and splendor you show how infinitely great you are, to be exalted above all things, through Christ our Lord” (Roman Missal, Preface for this feast).

Death
Germany
Grocers
Police officers
Radiologists

Read the source:   http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1153

SAINT OF THE DAY
Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God’s invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint. Click here to receive Saint of the Day in your email.

From 1999 http://www.peterkreeft.com/home.htm
Introduction (0:00)
1. Final Causes (8:57)
2. Efficient Causes (30:47)
3. Material Causes (35:26)
4. Formal Causes (39:37)
Questions (54:14)

The above lecture is philosophically technical at points, but is nonetheless intriguing and enjoyable for all audiences.

ST. MICHAEL AND THE ANGELS – Prince of the heavenly host

September 29, 2017

DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO

Prince of the heavenly host.

POPE FRANCIS: CALL ON ARCHANGELS AS YOU FIGHT AGAINST EVIL

Prays that Michael, Gabriel, Raphael will remind us of God’s presence in our lives

SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 BY ZENIT STAFF

At the end of Wednesday’s general audience, Pope Francis mentioned today’s feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

“They are ‘ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation,’” the Pope said in greetings to Polish pilgrims.

He added that we should “be aware of their invisible presence,” and invited his listeners to “invoke them in prayer so that in every moment they remind us of the presence of God, supporting us in the struggle against evil and leading us safely on the roads of our life.”

SECRETS OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM: 12 ANGELIC FACTS EVERY CHRISTIAN MUST KNOW

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5.8

Are humans alone in the universe as intelligent beings? The Catholic Church has always believed and taught that the answer is no: the universe is in fact filled with many kinds of intelligent, other-worldly beings that we call angels. And they are up to all sorts of amazing things!

Here are 12 important things for all Christians to know about these mysterious beings from another realm:

1) Angels are absolutely real

Angels are not just a pious fiction or a superstition: they are absolutely, positively real – as a real as you and me and anything else. They are actively involved in our world and play a crucial role in human history. (CCC 328)

2) Every Christian has a guardian angel

The Catechism quotes St. Basil saying “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (CCC 336)

3) Demons are also very real

All angels were originally created good, but some angels made a choice to disobey God. These fallen angels are called “demons.” Hell was originally prepared as a place for demons. (CCC 391ff; Matthew 25.41)

4) There is a dramatic spiritual war going on for human souls

The choice to fall away from God was irrevocable for demons. But humans, at least as long as they are alive on earth, still have a choice. Angels and demons are engaged at this moment in a dramatic spiritual war, battling to influence human souls either toward or away from God.

Satan tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and demons continue to tempt human beings away from God today. (CCC 391ff)

5) St. Michael the Archangel is the leader of the Lord’s angelic armies

St. Michael is a faithful angel who leads good angels in spiritual battle against fallen ones. His name literally means “Who is like God?,” which represents his faithfulness to God when other angels rebelled. (cf. Revelation 12.7)

6) Satan is a leader of the fallen angels

Like all demons, he was originally a good angel who chose to turn away from God. As a creature, he remains finite and subject to God’s providence. (CCC 391, 395)

In the Gospels, Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations (Matthew 4, Luke 4), called him the “father of lies,” a “murderer from the beginning” (John 8.44), and said Satan came only to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10.10).

7) Any involvement with the occult or demonic forces is gravely sinful

Demonic forces are nothing but evil and humans should have nothing to do with them. Any involvement in the occult – whether it be divination, horoscopes, clairvoyance, mediums, etc – even if with “good” or “innocent” intentions, is gravely sinful and highly dangerous. (CCC 2116-2117)

8) Exorcism remains an active practice of the Church

In the Gospels, Christ and his Apostles regularly make explicit battle against demons, often exorcizing them from possessed individuals. The Church continues this act of spiritual warfare for the good of souls.

A minor exorcism is included in the baptismal rite. In the case of demonic possession, priests with special permission from their bishop can perform solemn exorcisms. (CCC 1237, 1673, 550)

9) We can also engage in spiritual battle through prayer and other spiritual practices

The Our Father prayer, given by Christ himself, includes a request to “deliver us from evil.” The Church also encourages the use of the Prayer to Saint Michael. Written by Pope Leo XIII, it calls for the final imprisonment of Satan to hell. Fasting has also been traditionally used as a spiritual weapon.

But the best way to aid the fight against demonic forces is to simply live a holy life following after Christ.

10) Many saints have engaged in explicit, even physical, battles with demons

Beating them up, appearing as terrifying beasts, making dreadful sounds, even setting things on fire; you can read the incredible stories of St. Anthony the Great, St. Padre Pio, St. Gemma Galgani, St. John Vianney, and St. Teresa of Avila in this article.

11) Satan was definitively defeated by Christ

In his passion, death, and resurrection, Jesus definitively defeated the powers of Satan. This fact is progressively manifested in the history of the Church until the Second Coming of Christ. (cf. CCC 550)

12) Christ is the King of the whole angelic world

Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe, and that includes the spiritual realm. Angels were created by Christ at the beginning of the world to be his servants. Even demons, who have chosen to disobey God, ultimately remain under the control of God’s providence. (CCC 331)

St. Michael, please protect us in battle!

Read the source: https://churchpop.com/2016/12/26/secrets-of-the-spiritual-realm-12-angelic-facts-every-christian-must-know/

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