ARCHANGEL
ARCHANGEL
FEAST September 29
LIFE God created angels concurrently with all else, but before humans. Angels are spiritual beings with free will and an intellect far superior to ours. We usually cannot see them. The holy angels dwell in heaven and are therefore considered saints. Their foremost purpose and activity is unceasing attendance upon God’s throne. As God’s attendants, angels also act as his messengers, warriors, and servants.
NAMES While the number of the angels is extraordinary (see Daniel 7:10 or Revelation 5:11), the Bible reveals the names of only three: St. Michael, St. Raphael, and St. Gabriel. Michael means Who Is Like God; Raphael means God Heals, and Gabriel means Power of God. These three are in the small group of seven archangels who stand closest to God’s throne.
PATRONAGE St. Michael: grocers, soldiers, doctors, mariners, paratroopers, police, healing. St. Raphael: travelers, blindness, healing. St. Gabriel: messengers, telecommunication workers, postal workers.
SCRIPTURE TO PONDER The angel replied, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news.” Luke 1:19 NRSV
Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NRSV
Glorious
The archangels have immediate, intimate, everlasting access to God in all his wisdom, goodness, majesty, and joy.
Do I recognize that God has also invited me to have that kind of relationship with him?
Have I allowed him to send me to deliver good news?