It is 29th September 2020. We celebrate the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels. The readings are from Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 and the Gospel from John 1:47-51.
George Bernard Shaw throws a glimpse of insight for believing what we have not seen yet and are able to feel it through. “You see things and say, “why?” but I dream things that never were and say, “why not?”
“For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12). To combat a spiritual warfare every moment of our lives, we need the assistance of the angels in our life. “For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down.” (Rev.12:10)
The arch angels have been entrusted with a specific significantly important task entrusted by God in particular time of the salvation history. St. Gregory the Great teaches us, “Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are empowered to perform.” Michael means “Who is like God”; Gabriel implies “The Strength of God”; and Raphael infers “God’s Remedy.” St. Michael showed the supreme power of God; St. Gabriel brough the Good News of Salvation and St. Raphael brought healing to Tobit. Even today, they are in front of God and assuring their protection against all satanic, and evil manifestation and attacks in our lives.
The first reading presents us with the presence of angels in the presence of God. “A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him.” (Dan.7:10).
In the Gospel Jesus himself mentioned that those who without deceit like Nathanel would witness the movements of angels. “You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (Jn.1:51).
In the gospel we see Jesus speaking with Nathanael (Nathaniel) when the latter came to him late at night. Nathanael says that Jesus is the Son of God and Jesus commends him for his faith. He goes on to tell him that he shall see great things in heaven including the angels who dwell in the Lord’s presence and act as his messengers.
Anyone who brings us closer to God and to one another and to reach out to us in times of challenges are those living among us even today as the angels. May we become an angel of Good News, an angel of Hope and Healing. May the Lord continue to bless us to bring out the best of ourselves to bring the others closer to God. May you have a lovely day. God bless you.