Angelic Defenders

~~~ Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels ~~~
~~~ Revelation 12:7-12AB ~~~ Psalm 138 ~~~ John 1:47-51 ~~~ 

Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

Whether or not angels exist is not determined
by whether or not we believe they do or do not exist.
How many times have you believed in something because you needed to?
There was some benefit to your believing.
Maybe believing in angels brings you comfort.
Perhaps you believe because of the Bible stories
surrounding angel appearances.
Angels are messengers from God.

Today we have the archangels...the highest rank among angels.
They are given the title of saints because they are 'holy ones'.
Typically there are believed to be seven archangels.

Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are among the most
well known of the archangels.
They each have special significance...
Michael, who is like unto God,
defeated Satan protects us in our faith.
Gabriel, strength of God, heralds the mysteries
of God such as the Incarnation.
Raphael, healer of God, helped Tobit of his blindness
and aided in the marriage of Sarah.
He is the patron of travelers and of nurses, because he is associated
with moving the waters in the healing pool of Bethesda.

We are constantly being seduced by the devil and fooled by his schemes.
The devil never tires of trying to attack and destroy us.
Today we should ask these archangels for their protection
 over ourselves, our country, and our world.

“They defend mankind and defend the God-man, 
the superior man, Jesus Christ who is the perfection 
of humanity, the most perfect,” he said.

Words from Pope Francis in his homily
delivered today speaking about the Archangels.

The Archangels are beside us to do battle against the attacks of Satan.
We too must enter into this battle in our own defense.
Nathaniel took it upon himself to position himself
 where he could take in the full view of Jesus.

He climbed up into the tree so he could see,
but Jesus noticed him while he sat quietly under the fig tree.

God sends his Archangels to act against the devil,
but we are called to seek the presence of Jesus.
In the presence of Jesus we are better
equipped to discern the shadows of the evil one.

It is when we are not paying attention
that the one who desires our eternal condemnation
 sets his claws into our heart and soul.

Prayer is our best defense when in battle with the darkness of Satan.

The Archangels are here to support us in our battle...
be determined to resist the evil disguises.

Blessed with God's angelic defense team.

~~~Peace~~
Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael,
pray for us.

In the Sight of Angels

The Feast of the Archangels:

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

 

~~~ Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rev 12:7-12ab ~~~ Psalm 138 ~~~ John 1: 47-51 ~~~

 

Archangels are the highest level of angels.

Angels are 'messengers' derived from the Greek word 'aggelos'.

 

Certainly we are very familiar with the archangel Gabriel,

whom God sent to Mary in the Annunciation.

God also used an angel to assure St. Joseph that he should remain

with Mary in spite of her being with child.

 

Some report Angels to be mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament

and 165 in the New Testament.

As spirits, angels have no bodies so they can be present

and yet not seen by us.

 

I once heard a priest say that at each celebration of the Liturgy

angels surround the altar.

This to me is beautiful image when I think about even

the heavenly spirits praising God.

 

Archangels are so much more than the little cherubs we see on Valentine's day.

 

One day when I was teaching a little boy asked me if I believed in angels.

I told him yes. He then explained to me how he had seen an angel

while riding in the car one day. It was such a tender conversation.

He was speaking to me so innocently about his experience.

I think he was looking for someone whom he could safely confide in...

someone who would not make fun of him...

someone who also believed in angels.

 

I think we want to believe in angels.

I think for the most part angels maybe a real connection

between us and heaven.

I recently began visualizing my guardian angel

enveloping whatever vehicle I am riding in.

I happen to have a great fondness for Gabriel.

I feel safe having his wings enfolding the car or now the bus.

 

To me angels represent goodness. They were created by God.

They sing Holy, Holy, Holy forever praising God.

They are the heavenly hosts.

God entrusts his most precious messages for us

to his angels.

 

 

When Jesus saw Nathaniel 'under the fig tree' he made reference to angels.

 

"...You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

 

Can you imagine what a sight this will be...

angels everywhere as far as the eye can see singing and praising God.

 

I wonder what angel voices will sound like when we do get to hear them.

 

I believe there are more than enough angels for us to each have our own.

I am beginning to be more aware of my angel...conscious of its presence.

 

If you have not given much thought to your angel

today is a good day to begin.