The Archangels

A beautiful feast the Church celebrates today as we remember the Archangels: Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, Saint Raphael. As one commentary states, "The great archangels - Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael - lead the choirs of those awesome servants of God whom we picture as 'wings of the wind' and 'flashes of fire' and to whom we give the name 'angel,' meaning 'messenger'" (Magnificat, 371). The angels have their respective tasks and they truly watch over us. In fact, if this Sunday, October 2nd, did not fall on a Sunday, we would be celebrating the Memorial of the Guardian Angels. Each of us has a guardian angel to watch over us and protect us. Sacred Scripture even talks about angels and their role in our lives. One of the readings for today is from Revelation, 12:7-12ab. It talks about the battle that Michael and his angels had with the dragon and its angels. A tough battle but we know that good always triumphs over evil, so Michael and his angels prevailed. From the gospel, John 1:47-51, Jesus tells Nathaniel, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." The angels are there, we acknowledge their presence, and in a special way today we can rejoice with the psalmist who says, "In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord." Have a blessed day!!!