September 29, FEAST of MICHAEL ARCHANGEL Angels—messengers from God—appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are named. Michael appears in Daniels vision as the great prince who defends Israel against its enemies; in the Book of Revelation, he leads Gods armies to final victory over the forces of evil. Devotion to Michael is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring Michael and the angels in the fifth century. Gabriel also makes an appearance in Daniels visions, announcing Michaels role in Gods plan. His best-known appearance is an encounter with a young Jewish girl named Mary, who consents to bear the Messiah. Raphaels activity is confined to the Old Testament story of Tobit. There he appears to guide Tobits son Tobiah through a series of fantastic adventures which lead to a threefold happy ending: Tobiahs marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobits blindness and the restoration of the family fortune. The memorials of Gabriel (March 24) and Raphael (October 24) were added to the Roman calendar in 1921. The 1970 revision of the calendar joined their feasts to Michaels. Comment: Each of these archangels performs a different mission in Scripture: Michael protects; Gabriel announces; Raphael guides. Earlier belief that inexplicable events were due to the actions of spiritual beings has given way to a scientific world-view and a different sense of cause and effect. Yet believers still experience Gods protection, communication and guidance in ways which defy description. We cannot dismiss angels too lightly.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 19:40:40 +0000
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