Day 25 -- The Archangels

Do you have a message that needs to get to the world? What message do you need to deliver to someone? Right now for me, I think my message is to get the stories of the saints out there to family and friends. I feel like I am on a spiritual overload...maybe becuase I am invoking the prayers of all these holy men and women! What message do you need to hear? Are you taking the time to listen to God and to others for their messages? I try to make time every day...definitely at Mass each day and also time in prayer with the Blessed Sacrament to talk to God and help me understand my place in this world and His plan for me.

Today's feast day is for the Archangels of Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel the three archangels mention in the Bible who delivered important messages. They are angels and saints.

Probably the most known is of Saint Gabriel. He delivered three messages in the Bible. One was delivering the message to Daniel to explain his visions relating to the Messiah (Daniel 8). The other message was to Zechariah to announce the birth of his son, John the Baptist (Luke 1) . But probably the most known is the message he delivered to Mary that she would conceive the Son of God (Luke 1). What a message to deliver! If that was me, I would be so afraid that I would mess it up! One of the meanings of his name is "strong man of God." He is the patron of many place, things, and people including television, radio, post offices, Portugal, and the Archdiocese of Seattle, WA.

PRAYER
We beseech you to intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy: As you announced the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary, so through your prayers may we receive strength of faith and courage of spirit, and thus find favor with God and redemption through Christ Our Lord. May we sing the praise of God our Savior with the angels and saints in heaven forever and ever. Amen.


Saint Michael is probably the second most known. I know about his story growing up with my brother Michael and 3 others in my family (grandfather, uncle, and godmother's husband). Michael was the leader of the army of God during Lucifer's uprising. There are writings about Michael in Christianity, Judaism, and Muslim. He is considered the guardian and protector of the Church. He is mentioned in the book of Daniel (ch. 12) as rising up to defends the Church against the ant-Christ. An apparition of Saint Michael occurred in 492 to herders in southern Italy. Michael then appeared to the local bishop and requested that a church be build in the honor of the Holy Angels in the cave. Michael's name means "who is like God?" He is the patron of about 50 things or places, including EMTs, artists, a holy death, Spanish police officers, paratroopers, radiologists, the Diocese of Mobile, AL, and the city of Papua, New Guinea.

PRAYER
Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And you, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl the world for the ruin of souls. Amen. (Pope Leo XIII)


And last but not least, Saint Raphael. He is the lead character in the deuterocanoncial book of Tobit where he traveled with Tobiah and cured a man's blindness. Traditionally in Scripture, he is considered the power behind the healing power of the sheep pool from John 5:1-4. His name means "God heals." He is the patron travelers, young people, against many bodily ills, also nurses, pharmacists, and physicians.

PRAYER
Dear Saint Raphael, your lovely name means "God heals." The Lord sent you to young Tobiah to guide him throughout a long journey. Upon his return you taught him how ot cure his father's blindness. How natural, therefore, for Christians to pray for your powerful help for safe travel and a happy return. This is what we ask for ourselves as well as for all who are far from home.


QUOTE
"You should be aware that the word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels."
from homily from Pope Saint Gregory the Great