Archangels Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Friday – 29th September 2023 — Gospel: Jn 1,47-51
Need for Divine Interventions
Engagement between divine messengers and humankind is not a new phenomenon in Scriptures. An angel of the Lord found Hagar by a spring of water in the wilderness (Gen 16,7). An angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in the flaming bush (Ex 3,2). In Genesis chs. 18 & 19, three men visit Abraham. One of them seems to be Yahweh and the other two are angels. While Yahweh stays with Abraham, the other two go on to Sodom. They urge Lot to leave Sodom with his wife and two daughters, and then Gomorrah is destroyed. In the story of Jacob, the angels are “ascending and descending” a ladder (Gen 28,12). In the book of Daniel, they are seen in Daniel’s heavenly vision (Dan 10,13). The psalmist writes, “Angels encamp around those who fear God” (Ps 34,7).
In the New Testament, they brought messages to Mary, Joseph, Zechariah (father of John the Baptist), the shepherds of Bethlehem, angels ministering to Jesus during his fasting in the wilderness, consoling him during his Agony in the Garden, at the tomb of Jesus after his resurrection and the angel who freed Peter from the prison in the Acts of the Apostles. In the Letter to Jude, Archangel Michael is in dispute with Satan over the body of Moses (Jude 1,9). In the description about the Second Coming of Christ, Archangel descends from heaven and makes a call and with the sound of trumpet (1 Thess 4,16). In the book of Revelation, Michael and his angels fight the war with dragons, the power of evil.
Although, Jewish texts mention seven archangels, today we remember only three: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Michael has been depicted from earliest Christian times as a commander, who holds in his right hand a spear with which he attacks Lucifer (Satan) and in his left hand a green palm branch. At the top of the spear there is a linen ribbon with a red cross. Gabriel is regarded as the herald of the mysteries of God to individual persons. In art, he is depicted holding a lantern with a lighted taper in his right hand and, in his left, a mirror of green jasper. The mirror signifies the wisdom of God as a hidden mystery. Raphael is depicted leading Tobit, who is carrying a fish in his right hand and holding a physician’s alabaster jar in his left.
In Spiritual reality, angels are everywhere. Angels are present at each Mass adoring Jesus along with us. Angels are invoked at funerals to lead us to paradise. “The whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels” (CCC 334). Indeed, we are blessed to be assisted and protected on earth by these mysterious creatures of God.
