Today
the Church celebrates the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and
Raphael. Meditating on these angels can tell us a great deal about the
priesthood, for they exemplify the three fundamental tasks of the
priest: healer, fighter, and evangelizer.
Raphael
is a healer; consult the book of Tobit for the details. Michael is a
fighter. When Satan dares to claim equality with God, Michael speaks his
name, Mich-a-el? Who
is like God? And this is his victory. And Gabriel is the great
messenger angel, the one who announces the Incarnation to a young maiden
of
Nazareth.
Perhaps
more than ever today, people are suffering with what the hymn calls
"sin-sick souls." The great salve for all of these wounds is Jesus
Christ. But who will bring this salve to a hurting world? This is why
Christ raises up priests. Just think of the racism, the hatred, and the
injustice that reign everywhere. Who will fight? This is why Christ
raises up priests, as new Michaels.
Finally,
Jesus is a preacher. He is, after all, the Word of God made flesh.
Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that the Word comes forth from him
with unique power.
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels
Lectionary: 647
As I watched:
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
War broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them."
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