Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels.
(Revelation 12:7-12ab; John 1:47-51)
People called them “orderlies.” They served in hospitals ready to do any
menial task that a doctor, nurse, or administrator mandated. Angels should be seen as orderlies. However, they answer to God alone.
There is a reluctance to think of angels today. They seem redundant when one considers God’s
word as almighty. However, they may be
considered the means through which God’s word is carried out, what makes the
Word almighty. They are spiritual beings
created precisely to accomplish God’s will.
Today we celebrate three particular angels, called
“archangels” for their prominence in Scripture.
Michael is found preeminently in the Book of Revelation where he defeats
the Satanic dragon. Gabriel, of course,
announces to Zechariah and to Mary God’s plan of sending His Son to save humans
from sin. Raphael accompanies Tobias to
meet his bride and directs him to the fish oil to heal his father. We can think of God as having countless
angels to support us in facing life’s challenges.
