Archangels Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Tuesday – 29th September 2020 — Gospel: Jn 1,47-51
Singing God’s Immense Love
Jesus promises his disciples very early in life that they have far more to experience and comprehend in him: “I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (Jn 1,51). Jesus alludes to Jacob’s dream of the ladder reaching to heaven, with the angels ascending and descending upon it (Gen 28,12), that assures Jacob of God’s fidelity. Jesus is telling his disciples that he becomes the ladder between God and people, heaven and earth, through whom God will be revealed. And Jesus also forecasts that God’s messengers (angels) will tend to and serve the Son of Man just as they minister to God in heaven. Jesus is the culmination of divine revelation. He provides a fullness of God’s self-disclosure about which Jacob could dream. On the one hand, Jesus reveals God’s immense love for humankind and on the other, He also reveals his human love for God.
Today we honour the three “messengers” who are given names in Scriptures. They reflect God’s power in various ways. Angel Michael (“one who is like God”) presents God’s power in fighting against all kinds of satanic evils in society (Jude 1,9; Rev 12,7). Angel Gabriel (“strength of God”) brings God’s message to people. Gabriel is sent to announce the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus (Lk 1,19.26). Angel Raphael (“healed by God”) accompanies people in their life journey. The best example is Raphael accompanying young Tobit (Tob 3,17; 5,4). These supernatural beings function to serve God in whatever way the Lord intends. They do announce and proclaim God’s glory, so that there is constant praise and honour given to God. As we continue to grow in the understanding and appreciation of how much God loves us through Christ, let us join the choirs of angels in singing God’s praises wherever we are.
