The Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

 

John 1:47-51

 ⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” ⁴⁸ Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” ⁴⁹ Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” ⁵⁰ Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” ⁵¹ And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

As we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, we focus on the last verse of this passage, as mysterious as it might sound.  If nothing else, it verifies from the lips of Jesus himself that there are angels (messengers) whose purpose is to serve as mediators between "The Son of Man" and us. Michael defeats Satan, Gabriel appears to Mary with the invitation to be the Mother of God, and Raphael assists the young Tobias as well as restores eyesight to his father, Tobit.  In these  trying times, we need to be reminded that there are beings who give us strength, guidance and protection. We can easily lose ourselves in the pandemic, absence of faith, violence and deceit we face daily.  Lest we be overwhelmed by it all, these three stand ready to help us, to be messengers of peace and bearers of God's love in ways that we might not see initially, but which become apparrent as time goes by.  Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, pray for us and help us to keep the faith.

Bro. Rene