The Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

 

Angels gather with us in worship.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels, Friday 29th September, 2023
Texts: Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; Psalm 138:1-5; John 1:47-51 

Today is the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Today’s liturgical readings relate the fact that the angels are always before God and serve Him. The first reading is about Daniel’s vision of God in which he saw angels before Him and serving Him. We read, “a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him”. 

In the gospel reading Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." In this word Jesus told Nathanael that he would soon recognise that He is God because angels attend to Him.  

Today’s Psalm reminds us that angels gather with us in worship. It reads, “I thank you,  Lord, with all my heart; you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I praise you. I bow down toward your holy temple.” Whenever we are in the presence of God, we gather with the angels. The  Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are always before God and serve Him. They gather with us when we worship God. They also serve God with us. 

Archangel Michael

St. Michael is a spiritual warrior and leader of God’s army. He fights for good against evil. Gift of healing is also attributed to him. He is the patron of soldiers, police and doctors. St. Michael is popularly invoked for protection and fight against evil. We are also warriors fighting against evil, vices and passion of the flesh (Eph. 6:12). Just like St. Michael we are to fight under the standard of God; we are to fight with the strength of God. 

Archangel Gabriel

St. Gabriel appeared to Daniel to interpret the vision of Daniel to him. He brought the answer to the prayer of Daniel. St. Gabriel also delivered the news of God’s choice of Virgin Mary to her. He told Virgin Mary that God had chosen her to bear the Son of God. It was a good news to Virgin Mary. He teaches us to be bearers of good news. We should earnestly this day tell the whole world the Good News about Jesus Christ.  

Archangel Raphael

St. Raphael was a companion to Tobias on a journey. He healed Sarah of evil spirit and Tobit, the father of Tobias, of blindness. St. Raphael teaches us to be good companions to one another in our journey of faith. We are to advise each other in all wisdom. St. Raphael gave good advice to Tobias in his journey. We learn from St. Raphael to have sympathy for the sick. We should do whatever we can to ameliorate their sufferings. Hence, St. Raphael teaches us compassion for the sick.  

In conclusion, we are to serve God faithfully as these three Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael serve God. They are with us when we serve God.  

Prayer 

O God, who dispose in marvellous order ministries both angelic and human, graciously grant that our life on earth may be defended by those who watch over us as they minister perpetually to you in heaven. Amen   

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke