Breaking the Word

Archangels Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Friday – 29^th 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.

25^th Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 28^th September 2023 – Haggai 1,1-8; Lk 9,7-9

Have Right Priorities

The first reading is taken from the book of Haggai and he is the first prophet after the Babylonian exile. The people have started to return to their own ruined home land. They are intent on rebuilding their own homes while not devoting themselves to repair the house of God, i.e., the Temple. Haggai challenges the people, especially the wealthy, to rebuild first God’s dwelling place among them. The luxury of the homes of the wealthy is contrasted with the ruined state of the Lord’s home. They are living a life of visible consumption, like people living in today’s world with credit cards. They have planted abundantly, but have been punished by famine, the harvests never materialized. They earn wages, but they disappear when prices soar during the time of famine. He points out that their own labours and efforts are not realized fully because they have not given their priority to God and his Temple.  The people are focused on their own issues and interests rather than seeking to do what God wants. Do we take care of our own priorities first and then give a thought about what God wants?