The Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Raphael Gabriel.
"Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
"Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
"Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? 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.” (John 1: 47 - 51).
Friday 29th September 2023 of the 25th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
Angels are mentioned many times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus' encounter with Nathanael (Bartholomew) in the Gospel of today confirms the existence of angels. A fact that is known in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Here is the meaning of the names of the Archangels:
Micha-El: Who is like God?
Gabri-El: God’s strength” or “Power of God”
Rapha-El: “God heals”
El means God.
By the ministry of the angels, our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving come before the presence of Almighty God.
The Archangel Michael is assigned to guard the Church. ( Cf Daniel 12: 1).
Pope Leo XIII who had a vision of this in the Sanctuary of his Church composed the Prayer to St Michael which became an inspired and principal prayer in spiritual warfare. Many Catholics say this prayer daily.
United with the angels, we will conquer the Great Deceiver by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. (Cf Revelations 12: 7 - 12).
How do we enter into personal relationship with the angels?
Exactly the same way we enter into relationship with our patron saints. We honor the saints by praying to them, asking them favors and their protection. We celebrate their feast as we do this day.
Jesus Christ, the Prince of Saints says that when we honor the saints and angels, we glorify Him. Besides the three Archangels we honor today, each human being is assigned a Guardian Angel when he is created. We celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2nd.
Click the link below for the St Michael the Archangel Prayer:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/09/st-michael-archangel-prayer.html?m=1
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