+ Today was originally known as the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (or Michaelmas Day), it was
only later in church history that the lesser known feasts of Sts. Gabriel and
Raphael were added to the celebration. They were linked together to highlight
the activity of a group of powerful spiritual beings, archangels, who directly
intervened in the affairs of men – the chosen people of God.
Archangel
Michael was the great
defender of the people of Israel in the Old Testament and is connected with
the final battle that will take place at the end times: he will be defender and
friend of all who tried their hardest to go
the narrow way and live the life of
Christ. There is every evidence that we may be in the throes of that final
battle right here and now, with all that is going on not only in the attempts
of Satan to destroy the church from within, and the hands of her own priests
and prelates, but also the attack of Satan on the fabric of our democratic form
of government and its ramification of infecting the fabric of the global
community in which we live. I recommend all Catholics to pause after attendance
at Mass, either daily or weekly to add the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
written especially by Pope Leo XIII for this very purpose – if not to ask to
have it added to say as a post-mass prayer as it was for decades decades ago!
We must rely on his never-failing help!
Archangel
Gabriel was God’s messenger
and announced the births both of John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah: he
was therefore a key instrument in the history of salvation.
And Archangel Raphael brings messages
and prayers from the people to God, especially prayers for healing – he was
instrumental in both physical and spiritual healing in the life of Tobiah in
the Book of Tobit.
We
rejoice that we have as allies and friends those who are God’s
special friends and agents. May we ask for defense
against the insidious and cunning forces of evil from Michael, the announcement
of good news and new life for us from Gabriel, and healing from physical and
spiritual maladies from Raphael – as we make our way today to our heavenly
homeland where we will live forever praising God and enjoying the company of
all the angels and saints!
Bless
the Lord, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.
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