Word to the Wise
Monday, September 29, 2014 - Sept. 29 - Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels
[Dan 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rev 12:7-12a 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."
Today's feast originally celebrated only Michael and was known as "Michaelmas." Somewhere along the liturgical historical line, the other two "archangels" joined him to make a threesome! Michael often appears in church statuary dressed in medieval armor! Gabriel usually shows up in a long gown and big wings. I suspect Raphael, who comes to us from the Book of Tobit, would be shown the same way, although he is more a fellow traveler with Tobit on the road.
The gospel passage from the Gospel of John contains the quotation above which is addressed not only to Nathanael but to all of us! It is a promise that combines imagery from Jacob's ladder [Genesis 28] with a vision from the Book of Daniel [one of the options for today] in Chapter 7. Jesus promises great things to the believer, including a vision of the glory of God. Since the angels are spoken of as being countless, when one or more are mentioned by name, we have a chance to meet them, so to speak, in our liturgical celebration. If we need a warrior, Michael is ready. If we need a messenger, Gabriel will go. If we need company on a difficult journey, we can get Raphael to come along.
Whether it be these three or the countless others, the angels are part of our faith and manifestations of God's guiding providence. Today's celebration is a reminder of this! AMEN
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