On 30thSeptember, the Church celebrates the feast of the Archangels. The existence of these spiritual, non-corporal beings, that sacred scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith.
Who are Angels? ‘Angel’ is the name of their office not of their nature. If you seek the name of their office, it is Angel, that is what they do. If it is their nature, it is spirit that is what they are with their whole beings. The angels are servants and messengers of God. They were created by Him at the dawn of time for the purpose of being His servants and messengers. They have forever contemplated the face of God and are ready to rush to His command as attentive listeners and executors of His word.
The angelic hosts are organised into a heavenly court in which the angels have different roles and graces. The three archangels St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael occupy the highest domains of this angelic hierarchy. All their names end with ‘el’ which signifies ‘God’. The sacred scripture attributes a particular mission to each Archangel.
St. Michael is the warrior who fights against Satan and his emissaries. His name is derived from the Hebrew word Mi-ka-el, which means “who is like God?”. He’s represented as a warrior, his armour wielding a sword to slay a dragon that symbolises the devil with a spear. It was Michael who led the heavenly hosts in the war leading to the expulsion of rebellious angels from paradise and since then he has continued to stand up as God’s defender against evil. His new battle now is for souls of us, humans constantly targeted by the flattery of evil and instigated at every moment, to rebel against God. Archangel Michael is sent to protect and guide men to teach them to distinguish good from evil and truth from falsehood.
Archangel Gabriel’s name, derived from Hebrew means ‘power of God’, or ‘God is Mighty’. In the Biblical tradition, he was considered to be one of the angels closest to the throne of God to the point of being referred to as the ‘left hand of God’. In Christian tradition Gabriel is particularly renowned as a messenger who revealed the future birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah. He appeared in a dream to Joseph to calm his fears about Mary and to reveal to him that her pregnancy was the work of the Holy Spirit. It was Gabriel who appeared to Mary and told her that God had chosen her to be the Mother of His only son. He brings God’s message to us and makes it understandable to us, helping us to listen with a pure heart and accept the will of the Almighty. He is depicted as a young winged cherub who often carries a lily in his hands.
Archangel Raphael’s name is derived from Hebrew which means ‘God’s doctor’. His mission is to bring healing. In the Bible he is among the angels closest to the throne of God who was chosen by Tobias to guide him on his journey to collect the payments left by his father. During the journey Raphael in human form found a suitable bride for Tobias & restored the sight to the boy’s father.
Archangel Raphael is depicted with a jar containing medicaments and fishes. His role as a healer should always be interpreted as the will to heal the soul, relieve it from its suffering and make it disposed to welcome God.
Let us then pray to these Archangels especially in these difficult times to protect, guide and heal us on our earthly journey that we may finally reach our heavenly abode and be with God to glorify Him for all eternity.
Beliza Antao
Ward 10