FEAST OF SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL, AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS, SEPTEMBER 29, 2022
- Maria Knox
- Sep 29, 2022
- 2 min read
A Reading from Rv 12:7-12ab
War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them.”
REFLECTION
"Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven."
The three Archangels: Saint Michael, Saint Rafael, and Saint Gabriel appear in different parts of the Bible. Their names represent the work they do for God.
Saint Rafael appears in the book of Tobit. His name means "God has healed". In this book we read how he helps young Tobias on his trip to upper Egypt. How he binds the demon that slew Sara's previous husbands, and upon their return to the Tobias's father, Tobit, helps heal his blindness. Then he makes himself known as “I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand and serve before the Glory of the Lord.” (Tob 12:15) (1)
Saint Gabriel is called "Fortitudo Dei", this is, messenger of God. We read of him 4 times in the Bible:
Saint Michael is called "Who is like God". his name is the war-cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against Satan and his followers. We can find him 4 times in the Bible:
1. In Daniel, when the prophet asks God to allow the Jews to return to Israel. St. Michael comes to his aid (Dan 10)
In Daniel again, when the Angel is speaking of the end of the world and the Antichrist says: “At that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people.” (Dan 12)
In the Epistle of St. Jude. The author alludes to an ancient Jewish tradition of a dispute between Michael and Satan over the body of Moses. (Jude 1:9)
In Revelation, “War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon” (Rev 12:7) (3)
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