Word to the Wise
Saturday, September 29, 2007 - Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - Archangels
[Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Revelation 12:7-12AB and John 1:47-51]Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are the ones named in the bible. Michael is a warrior (Daniel and Revelations) Gabriel is a messenger (Daniel andLuke). Raphael is a healer/guide/protector.(Tobit). Catholic traditional piety has considered them "saints," although I don't think there was ever an official canonization procedure for them. (The same is true for many of the great Old Testament figures like Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.) Angels belong to a whole different realm of being and perhaps for that reason they capture the curiosity and imagination of the heart and mind of faith. The three "archangels" (a title given in tradition) are really presented in the bible in terms of their role or function. Michael is a warrior who battles against evil. Gabriel brings the message to Mary of her role to be played in the plan of salvation. Raphael brings healing to Tobias. They seem at times to appear in human form but they are not human. These three angels are not the only ones mentioned. Jesus' comment to Nathanael in the gospel scripture for today reflects the general Jewish tradition about angels being the court servants to God. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream. Angels appear to the women at Jesus' tomb. In addition to their appearance in the bible, the Church invokes the angels in the liturgy at the "Holy, Holy, Holy," and in one of the eucharistic prayers, ("Almighty God we pray that your angel....) as well as in the funeral liturgy, (May the angels lead you into paradise....). In short, they are part of our faith and tradition and we invoke their intercession. On October 2nd, we celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels which brings a personal dimension of God's providence into our lives. Human imagination has added feathered wings and halos and long hair. Suffice it to say, whatever they "wear" and however they "fly," our faith tells us they're for real and will do for us what they've done since the beginning of time. AMEN