Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 29, 2016 - 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." [John]
Jesus' promise to Nathaniel would presumably include the three "archangels" whom we celebrate today. At least these three are given a name in the scriptures. Tradition has supplied the "arch" to the title. Michael is a soldier Gabriel is messenger and herald. Raphael is a companion and body guard. Angels, by theological definition, are "gender neutral," but again tradition makes these three seem masculine. We can supply a feminine aspect if we wish. This year, the Guardian Angels (Oct. 2) get pushed aside by the Sunday celebration, so I'm willing to let them be part of today's celebration.
God's providence is evidenced in our traditions about angels, but our imagination does get a little fanciful with all the wings and robes and long hair. That there are such creatures as angels is a matter of our faith, but what they look like and how they get involved in God's plan of salvation is both scriptural and anecdotal. The good sisters who taught us in grade school had us move over a little bit in our desks to allow our Guardian Angels to sit down! I find that familiarity still comforting at the same time as I recognize the three prominent figures for today's feast. We can call them saints and archangels, but that's our choice. Jesus' promise to Nathaniel and Daniel's vision will someday give us a bigger and better view of this. AMEN
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