Saint of the Day – September 29 – Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael’s Story

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


In the Face of Death

Everyone you know and love is going to die someday. You will too, but… the thought of losing everyone else can sometimes be all the more frightening. This is a natural response to the ugly, “unnatural” reality of death, and those feelings of fear are not “wrong” to feel.

But, today, Fr. Mike implores you to take heart. There is yet one person who will never leave you.


The Catechism in a Year – Day 143 – Amen

Congratulations, we have come to the conclusion of Part One of the Catechism! Fr. Mike reviews the last “nugget” section on death and judgment, inviting us to regularly ponder the moment of our own death and judgment before our Lord. We conclude today with an explanation of the meaning of the word “amen” and the significance it has for our belief in God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1051-1065.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/T7BRPkg1BAY


The Catechism in a Year – Day 139 – I Believe in Life Everlasting


Together, with Fr. Mike, we explore what happens to us at and after the moment of our death. We examine the importance of understanding that the Christian, who unites his death with Christ Jesus, takes a step towards Christ in everlasting life. Fr. Mike emphasizes that we have an active choice in our journey to our Father in heaven. We should not simply desire Heaven, but actively choose it. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1020-1029.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/9Fr6t_l6cE4


The Rhythm of Life – Question 20 – What Do You Want to Do?

“Welcome back to 21 questions that will change your life.

Question #20 is about how short life is and the realty of death. We live sometimes ignoring the reality of death. We live and pretend we are going to live forever. We live thinking we can think about dying later, but death creeps up on us all. Life is short and precious.

Question #20 is… If you knew you only had one year to live, what would you spend the next year doing? Dream a little. Plan a little. Pray a little. Talk to those you love a little. There is something this question should move you to prioritize over the next year.

Today’s question is… If you knew you only had one year to live, what would you spend the next year doing?”


The Key to a Happy Death

The key to a happy death is not a long and fulfilled life—it’s a life of gratitude for the time given.

We often forget that this life isn’t owed to us. Every breath we take is a gift from God, who is holding us in existence at this very moment. Once we start to think that this life is owed to us, that in some way we deserve it, we will become ungrateful for the time that is given, even if we’ve lived a long and happy life.

Today, Father Mike explains how to fill your life with gratitude, and how that will prepare you for a happy death.