Word to the Wise
Friday, September 29, 2023 - 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]
The general conception of angels in the Bible is that they are messengers of God. The ones who are given names are celebrated today: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Their title, "archangels," is rooted in a work, The Celestial Hierarchy, by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, dating from the 5th century AD and elaborated in Sts. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure, among others. Traditionally, Michael is considered a warrior, Gabriel a messenger, and Raphael a protector. Before the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), a traditional prayer to St. Michael the Archangel was recited at the end of Mass for the "conversion of Russia." It has made a reappearance in some parishes now as a kind of prayer against secularism and the "culture wars." Gabriel gets good press in the art of Fra Angelico (Bl John of Fiesole, OP) in his famous mural of the Annunciation. Raphael comes close to our tradition of the Guardian Angel (celebrated Oct. 2) for his role in protecting Tobias in the Old Testament Book of Tobit.
The existence and role of angels in God's creation is a matter of faith. We may give them names and titles in addition to the three named ones in the Bible as a matter of tradition. We need all the help we can get in this world we live in and can be grateful that God hasn't left us alone. AMEN
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