Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 - 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]
SEPTEMBER 29 STS. MICHAEL, GABRIEL and RAPHAEL, archangels
Nothing can excite the imagination like angels! While they are part of God's creation, they have become part of human creation as well. Scripture supplies the names of the three angels we celebrate today, the term "archangel" comes from a medieval source. The Book of Revelation speaks of Michael and his angels battling against the dragon, so our statues of Michael feature him in Roman or medieval armor with a huge sword. In today's imagination he would be like one of the Jedi in Star Wars!! Gabriel gets big feathered wings and pretty nightgowns. Raphael seems more "normal" in his companionship with Tobias. Last, but not least, what would be the point of "canonizing" one of God's angels? Yet, we call these three, at least, "saints" and set aside this celebration in their honor. However, not to be unfair, we also celebrate the "Guardian Angels" on October 2nd. This is a way of pointing to Jesus' teaching about children's angels beholding the face of God. [Matt. 18:10].
The Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation (alternate sources of today's first scripture) are rich in imagery, and Jesus' own words to Nathanael in today's gospel seem to present angels in almost infinite abundance. In most cases, angels represent a communication between God and humans. They are agents of providence. We can let Michael, Gabriel and Raphael represent them as particular examples, and then salute all the rest on October 2nd. AMEN