Angels—messengers from God—appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are named.
Michael appears in Daniel’s vision as “the great prince” who defends Israel against its enemies; in the Book of Revelation, he leads God’s 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 Daniel’s visions, announcing Michael’s role in God’s plan. His best-known appearance is an encounter with a young Jewish girl named Mary, who consents to bear the Messiah.
Raphael’s activity is confined to the Old Testament story of Tobit. There he appears to guide Tobit’s son Tobiah through a series of fantastic adventures which lead to a threefold happy ending: Tobiah’s marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobit’s blindness, and the restoration of the family fortune.
The memorials of Gabriel and Raphael were added to the Roman calendar in 1921. The 1970 revision of the calendar joined their individual feasts to Michael’s.
Reflection
Each of the 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 God’s protection, communication, and guidance in ways which defy description. We cannot dismiss angels too lightly.
Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are the Patron Saints of:
Death Germany Grocers Police Officers/First Responders Radiologists
Saint Gabriel is the Patron Saint of: Broadcasters/Communicators
Saint Raphael is the Patron Saint of: The Blind, Travelers
Fr. Mike explores the fall of the angels, and how their fall leads to our own “fall into death out of envy.” Together, we examine what caused some of the angels to fall, whether it be pride or envy, and how it affects humanity’s reality within creation. Fr. Mike concludes with a commentary on the mystery of why Divine Providence permits evil and the actions of the fallen angels. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 391-395.
The angels belong to Christ as they were made through him and for him, and he has made them messengers of his saving plan. We learn that angels have been present throughout the history of salvation, and the life of Christ is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. Fr. Mike explains how in the liturgy, we join the angels in praising God, and all of human life is surrounded by angels’ care and protection. He reminds us that all angels and saints have the power to intercede for us before God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 331-336.
We are encouraged to welcome strangers, for by doing so, many people have entertained angels unaware (see Hebrews 13:2). As Jesus put it in his only description of the final judgment, “in so far as you did this to one of the least of these, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). I wonder what else could save us from our fear and accusation of one another, except one whose judgments are both upside-down and true—and whose mercy is everlasting. Fortunately, they are one and the same, a God who is both sanctuary and stumbling stone (see Isaiah 8:14).
We humans belong to both realms, the realm of the senses and a realm that goes beyond them. This stretches us. To avoid the tension of this stretching process we are apt to settle for half of our rightful inheritance. Still, our human birth gives us a dual citizenship. Only by claiming both realms as home can we avoid the polarization of our human consciousness. Our noblest task is to make the most of this creative tension. If we neglect what goes beyond our senses, we sink below animals. But if we deny being animals and neglect or reject our senses, we clip the very wings on which we are meant to rise to higher spheres. Unless we claim our dual citizenship and are at home with both angels and beasts we become alienated from both, alienated from what is truly human; we become—in Christopher Fry’s apt image, “Like a half-wit angel strapped to the back of a mule.”
In the crises and sorrows of our lives one of the first questions we ask is, will someone be there, will anyone help to support us? In my own life this has become almost the definition of God: the One who is there. Not just in crises, of course, but always. And yet it is most difficult to believe that God is there if there is not another human being there as well. Perhaps it is the weakness of my faith, but it is so hard to believe that God is here with me if there is no one else besides. When others stand with us and beside us, God shines forth in our midst. So maybe God keeps coming to us in the form of those “angels” who look like human beings.
What is the greatest gift our Lord has given us? The gift of Himself. He offers us the perfect gift of love. Why? Because He loves us and wants to draw us closer to Him. He really wants to give us that gift, sometimes more than we really want it. But, since you are all here, I imagine you all want His gift. Unfortunately, we have people in our lives who don’t seem to want it. They go off the reservation. They turn their backs on everything their parents did for them and sacrificed for them. It breaks your heart. But, you pray and sacrifice for them anyway, don’t you?
We are supposed to pray constantly. Saint Peter said that the devil is always prowling about seeking the ruin of souls. What do we pray for? A lot of times when we pray, we pray too small. We pray for those who do not like us. We do not pray that they will have a heart attack or suffer any other kind of injury. Instead, you pray that their souls may be converted or that you may have the strength to not choke the living you-know-what out of them when they are around. We pray for a lot of good things. The ultimate good thing is eternal salvation. This is the eternal good we should pray for…both for ourselves and others.
What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. We are human and not angels, so it is frustrating when we don’t see the results of our prayers right away. We like things immediately. Even the coffee maker isn’t fast enough for us. Remember the televisions that we had to wait on to warm up? Can you imagine that now? When we do not see the results of our prayers right away, we think they are not working. We give God a hard time, because we want what we pray for today. However, God’s ways are not our ways. He tells us to never be discouraged by prayer. Maybe God said “No.” If so, it is probably good that He did, because instead of giving us what we ask for, He gives us a greater good.
Always say a prayer for yourself and your own salvation and another prayer for the salvation of others, especially your family. It may take years and years to see any results from your prayers, and you may get more grey hair and worry lines. You may get fed up and write them off, and that may be necessary if they have other problems. But still pray for their salvation. God never gives up. You never know what He has in store, so do not get discouraged when praying for family and friends. One of the side effects of prayer is that it changes us. We develop a deeper trust and resignation to the will of God. In today’s Gospel, people said “the child is dead” so do not bother. They gave up. But, Jesus said, “If I gave you these small things which are not the best, why would I not give you the big things if you ask for it?”
You never know what God will do, and I’ll give you several examples. One is Saint Monica and her son, Saint Augustine. Saint Monica never gave up on Saint Augustine, and he did a lot of crazy things. He couldn’t write about it very well, and his confessions were boring as heck. He’d put you right to sleep. Still, he did a lot. Then, you have my own family. My oldest brother and evil twin brother moved away from the faith, but they both received last rites and entrance into Heaven. Who knew? Through prayer…my mother’s prayers, my father’s prayers, and my prayers, I was able to do their funeral Mass. Another example is one that I remember quite clearly. I was at Presbyterian Hospital in the Oncology Unit, and I had three patients on my list to see…two on the left and one on the right. I thought, I’ll go see the patient on the right first. So, I went into the room and introduced myself as the Catholic chaplain for the hospital. The patient’s husband said, “Father, my wife is dying. Will you give her the Last Rites?” So, I gave her the Last Rites. I anointed her and right where the ritual states “at or near the moment of death,” the woman took her last breath and died. I looked at the nurse who shrugged her shoulders. So, I said, “Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God, the almighty Father, who created you.” When I came out of the elevator that day, something had told me to take a right turn instead of a left. I had not seen these people before that day or after. Another time when I was at Atrium, I was walking up the stairs, more steps for my heart, and a nurse asked me if I was a priest. I said “Yeah.” Go figure, huh? Actually, I’m the pastor at a Baptist church, and I’m just trying to confuse everybody. Anyway, the nurse said she was going to call me about a patient in ICU who was dying of cancer. I never saw the patient before and I never saw her after. Saint John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, had the gift of reading souls. One day while he was taking a walk, he saw a woman who approached him. She said, “Curate, you have the gift of seeing souls.” Sometimes. “Remember my husband? He is dead.” Saint John said, ”Yes. I’ll offer him a prayer.” The woman said, “He fell off a bridge and drowned. He was an evil man. He’s in hell isn’t he?” Saint John said, “I don’t know.” The woman was irate and said, “You don’t know? What do you mean you don’t know! He hit me, he spent money, and he drank!” Finally, after she had finished unloading all her vile on him, Saint John said, “There was a lot of time from when he left the bridge and until he hit the water.”
Imperfect contrition is the fear of God’s punishment and is sufficient to get you into purgatory and eventually into Heaven. Even saying “I’m sorry” is enough. So, we do not know what will happen. We will find that out only if we get to heaven. Remember, we have control over that. Everyone in hell is a self-made man or woman. I’m not sexist. So, keep up your prayers for all of those who need His love. That’s the way to love.
Now, I am not much. I’m not that bright, but I can read a calendar, so I know my sell-by date is rapidly approaching. I pray for a happy death and that God will allow me in heaven with all my sins and faults. I pray that I will see the rest of my family. So, never, ever, ever stop praying. We never know how it will end. Remember, God wants your family, friends, and enemies in Heaven more than even you do.
How will you apply this message to your life? No matter what, keep praying for yourself and your salvation and the salvation of your family, friends, and enemies.
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to https://annunciationcatholicalbemarle.com/ and clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” and then “Sermon Notes.” From a cell phone, click on “Blog” then “Menu” and then “Categories” (located at the end of page). There is also a search box if you are looking for a specific topic.
“Infinite grief I wish from My creature in two ways: in one way, through her sorrow for her own sins, which she has committed against Me her Creator; in the other way, through her sorrow for the sins which she sees her neighbors commit against Me. Of such as these, inasmuch as they have infinite desire, that is, are joined to Me by an affection of love, and therefore grieve when they offend Me, or see Me offended, their every pain, whether spiritual or corporeal, from wherever it may come, receives infinite merit, and satisfies for a guilt which deserved an infinite penalty, although their works are finite and done in finite time; but, inasmuch as they possess the virtue of desire, and sustain their suffering with desire, and contrition, and infinite displeasure against their guilt, their pain is held worthy. Paul explained this when he said: If I had the tongues of angels, and if I knew the things of the future and gave my body to be burned, and have not love, it would be worth nothing to me. The glorious Apostle thus shows that finite works are not valid, either as punishment or recompense, without the condiment of the affection of love.”— St. Catherine of Siena, p. 4
