REFLECTION/Homily for the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (Archangels) 29TH SEPTEMBER 2023

Homily for the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (Archangels). 

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14. Psalm 138:1-2a,2bcd-3,4-5. John 1:47-51.

Today, we celebrate the feast of three archangels, who are mentioned in the Bible by name: Michael, the protector of the people of God, Gabriel, the messenger of good news, and Raphael, the healer in the Book of Tobit. This feast recalls the dedication of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Rome in the fifth century. The archangels are higher in ranks than the angels. The angels are sent by God to deliver minor messages while the archangels deliver major messages.

The name Michael signifies, "Who is like God?" And was the war cry of the good Angels in the battle fought in heaven against Satan and his followers. The Bible describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes," and as leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been especially honoured and invoked as Patron and protector by the Catholic Church from the time of the Apostles. Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Greek fathers and many others place him over all the angels as the Prince of the Seraphim.

The name Gabriel means the "Strength of God" or "power of God." It appears first in the prophecies of Daniel in the Old Testament. The angel announced to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks  (Dan.9:21-27). He is God's secretary. A secretary, in the original meaning of the word, is one to whom secrets are entrusted. There was a secret hidden in the heart of God from all eternity. This was his plan to repair sin through the death of his Son. This secret is now entrusted to secretary Gabriel, who in turn is to reveal it to the Blessed Virgin Mary (cf.Luke 1:26). Earlier, he was sent to deliver the news of the birth of St. John the Baptist to Zechariah, his father (cf.Luke 1:19).

The name Raphael means the "healing of God." This angel first appeared in the Book of Tobit. He acted as a guide to Tobias on his journey to Rages, a city in the country of the Medes, east of Nineveh, to collect a debt owed his father. The angel binds the demon Asmodeus, helps Tobias to find a wife and recovers the debt, and heals Tobit from his blindness. He then reveals his identity: "I am the Raphael, one of the angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord" (Tob.12:15).

In the first reading, the Book of Daniel tells us, "...... a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousands stood before him" (Dan.7:10). The Letter to the Hebrews speaks of "innumerable angels in festal gathering" (Heb.12:22).

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells Nathanael, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John 1:51).

To think we have God's messengers watching over us not only gives us a sense of security but makes us realise how much God loves us. "For He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11).

Today's feast is a celebration of God's providence and love. The Book of Revelation reminds us that through the Archangels and Angels, "the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down." The battle is over; what is left is the mopping up of the devil's angels and their activity. This is an assurance that we are living under God's protection, who by this one act has defeated the enemy, once and for all. Let us ask for their intercession in every situation we find ourselves, particularly in times of trials and tribulations.

Through the intercessions of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, may God through their ministry in heaven defend us here on earth through Christ our Lord. Amen.