About the Archangels
On the Feast of the Archangels-Michael, Raphael and
Gabriel
by Rev. Ignatius Chung
Parochial Vicar at St. Mark Catholic Church Vienna, Virginia
Reprinted by permission
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CCC 328: "By their nature they are spirit, incorporeal, and by their function, they are messengers, receiving messages from God to man and from man to God. The names end with "el," the Jewish connotation for God, which points out that they are messengers of God.
The words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #328 introduce us to the existence of angels: "The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings hat Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition." The Gospel text of today attests to the existence of angels, as we hear Christ himself telling Nathaniel: "I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending." (Jn 1:51). That angels exist is a truth of faith. But who are they?
By their nature, angels are powerful spiritual and non-corporeal beings created by God, and by the function, they are, as he word 'angel' from the Greek 'angelos' suggests, messengers of God who serve God and humanity in a variety of ways. Angels accomplish God's will by protecting us, driving away demons and bearing forth messages of God's providential plan of salvation.
St. Gregory the Great distinguishes between categories of angels as follows: "Those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels." In addition to these two categories are those called guardian angels, who stand by us from birth to death to guard and protect us till we reach heaven (CCC, 336). Of all these angels, we today celebrate the three great archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Who are these angles and what role do they play in our individual lives?
1. The name Michael means, "Who is Like God?" As his name suggests, and as we notice in the first reading of today, Michael is the angel who fought against the ancient dragon, symbol for Lucifer and his angels, who wanted to measure up with God, driving them out of heaven and so proving to them that none can become like God. Pope Saint John Paul II once said, "The battle against the devil . . . is the principal task of Saint Michael the archangel." St. Michael is invoked against all forms of demonic attacks and in all cases of deliverance and exorcism. He wields the sword of divine justice against the devil and his agents. Michael is the symbol of strength, unwavering dedication, fearlessness and total trust in God's supreme power and goodness.
At he website, "Catholic online," we read, "When St. Michael the Archangel appeared to the three children at Fatima in 1916, preparing the way for the apparition of our Blessed Mother which was soon to follow, he said to them, 'fear not. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me.' then, prostrating himself, he repeated three times: 'My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee! I beg Thee forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee!' In this simple, yet wonderful, prayer of profound meaning, St. Michael clearly reveals his burning adoration and love for God, as well as the fact that, deep within the center of his being, he also bears great love and concern for humanity." Whoever is assaulted by the evil one need only turn to Michael who wields the sword of righteous justice, and Michael is sure to draw near to his or her aid. Together let's invoke Michael's protection on the Church, our families and friends, and ourselves by reciting together the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel: "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protector against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humble pray; and will u, Oh Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."
2. The name of Gabriel means "God is my strength." Gabriel is that angel who made the major announcements of the working of God's power and strength in the history of Salvation: He announced to Zachariah the miraculous birth of Jesus' forerunner, John the Baptist (Lk 1:13); He announced the virgin birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Lk 1:27-28). Gabriel (God's Strength) announced the coming of the Mighty One in Battle, Jesus the Messiah, to defeat and subject all cosmic and evil powers. In the Christian tradition, Gabriel is the Angel of the incarnation, consolation and mercy. Is Islam he is called Jibriail and is believed to be the one who received the Quran from Allah and gave it to Mohammed. In the Christian tradition, St. Gabriel is the Angel of the Incarnation.
3. The name Raphael means, "God is my health." St. Raphael is one of seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord" as we read in Tobit 12:15. The meaning of Raphael's name stands out when he touched Tobit's eyes and healed them.
Raphael reminds us that our life, healthy as we are, is God's gift and we should spend our lives praising God. In the book of Tobit 12:6, when Tobit and his son Tobias were discussing how they could repay St. Raphael for all that he had done for them, "Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them: "Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Before all men, honor and proclaim God's deeds, and do not be slack in praising him."'
Dear friends, these Archangels of God are always ready to serve our needs and bring us closer to the kingdom of God. What is our relationship with them? How often do we talk with them or invoke their help in prayer? Let us today, renew our relationship with the archangels and all the angels and so benefit from their friendship, intercession, guidance and protection.
Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, pray for us, heal us, bring to us glad tidings, and defend us from the assault of the enemy.