The Archangels
September 29th is the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and
Raphael, Archangels.
Most names don’t reveal
very much about the person who carries them. But that’s not true of the angels
whom we honor. Michael, whose name means “Who is like God,” is known for his
great power in fighting against Satan and his demons. Gabriel’s name means
“strength,” and he certainly gave strength to Mary when he told her she would
be the Mother of God (Luke 1:28). Raphael’s name means “healer,” and he is the
one who cured Tobit’s blindness (Tobit 11).
We can’t help but admire
the archangels. Like all the angels, they have remarkable abilities. As pure
spirits, their knowledge and power are beyond our comprehension. But they’re
not like the superheroes in our comics. They live to serve God and worship him.
Their wonderful gifts are only a pale reflection of his infinite perfection and
beauty. What’s more, as amazing as they are, they really are “fellow servants”
along with us, and their inspiration can lead us to worship God more fully
(Revelation 19:10).
Perhaps the best way to
honor the archangels is to join them in worshipping Jesus. We can take our cue
from Nathanael; Jesus told him he would see “the sky opened and the angels of
God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:51). We have that same
opportunity at every Mass. We may not see the angels, but they are there,
adoring Jesus on the altar. Along with them, we can be caught up in the love
and holiness of the Son of God and be moved to lay our lives down before him.
What’s more, we can do
something the angels can’t. We can actually receive Jesus as our nourishment.
All the qualities of God that the angels share—his wisdom, love, and beauty—are
contained in the Eucharist. And that’s what we are privileged to take into our
very bodies! There is nothing more inspiring than to see that God loves us
enough to share his very life with us. The next time you attend Mass, know that
you are in the company of angels, and join them in giving him all the praise
and worship your heart can muster!
“Thank you, Lord, that
you have made me lower than the angels, yet you come to me as the bread of
life. May I be open to all the grace you want to pour out on me in your body
and blood.”
This article is adapted from a Meditation that originally
appeared in the September 2008 issue of the Word Among Us Magazine.
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