Word to the Wise
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 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.
Jesus' words to Nathaniel in the Gospel of John seem to echo the visions reported in the Book of Daniel or Revelation (we can choose either one today). The angels are presented in the form of large groups of beings! The feast, however, focuses on the three named archangels in the Bible: Michael (named today in Revelation), Gabriel (the one who visits Mary) and Raphael (the one who accompanies Tobit in the Book of Tobit). The Bible does not call them "archangels." That is something from tradition. Giving names to heavenly beings has the effect of "humanizing" them. There is no process of canonization for angels! Giving them names also highlights certain important virtues or values that we associate with God: might (Michael), message (Gabriel), healing (Raphael). Nevertheless, the Bible is clear on the subject: angels do exist and perform many different functions. We humans supply the wings, feathers and halos. The Bible does speak of white robes in a couple of instances, but in others, they may be wearing what any local person wore - as if they need clothing to begin with! Today we pay tribute to these beings created by God and acknowledge their mysterious presence (remember the "Guardian Angels" - coming soon in the calendar). We will probably continue to imagine them in fanciful ways and give them names, wings, feathers and halos. I doubt they mind it at all! AMEN