GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 29TH SEPTEMBER 2016
FEAST OF SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS
1ST READING: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14 OR Rev. 12:7-12
PSALM: Psalm 138:1-5
GOSPEL: John 1:47-51
THEME: MESSENGERS OF GOOD NEWS
We all love good news and do not easily forget those who bring us such news. Indeed, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’” (Isa 52:7). It is in the light of this that we remember today, in a particular way, the angels of God who have played key roles in the salvation of the human race.
In our Gospel text, Jesus tells Nathanael, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (Jn 1:51). This statement is an allusion to Gen 28:11-15, where Jacob is said to have dreamt of a ladder spanning heaven and earth that enabled the angels to pass in and out of the world.
Angels are ministering spirits who are sent out into the world to render service for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation (cf. Heb 1:14). No one is certain of the exact number of angels who stand before the throne of God (in fact they are uncountable); however in the history of salvation, the names of three angels have stood out – Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Their names are closely connected to the ministry they each render to humanity – Michael means ‘Who is like God’, Gabriel ‘Strength of God’ and Raphael, ‘Healing of God’. These three are known as ‘archangels’ because of the supreme importance of the ministry God has assigned to them in view of the salvation of the human race.
Archangel Michael, by conquering Satan and his angels (cf. Rev 12:7ff), has revealed to us that there is none like our God. Archangel Gabriel, by announcing to Mary that she would conceive and give birth to the Saviour of the human race without any conjugal relation with man (cf. Luke1:26ff), has also revealed to us the strength of God. Archangel Raphael, by his ministry (cf. Tobit 5:1 – 12:21), has shown us that God desires to heal us when we are ill and broken.
Today, we join the psalmist in thanking and blessing God, in the presence of the angels, for all that He, the Lord, has done for us (cf. Psalm 138:1-15).
Secondly, we ask all the angels who stand night and day before the Almighty God to continually intercede for us.
Thirdly, we pray that we too, like these archangels, may become messengers of good news to our brothers and sisters as we offer ourselves completely to God.
Prayer: Eternal Father, I join the countless host of angels who stand before you to offer worship and thanks for all that you have done and continue to do to make salvation available to the human race. Thank you, in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).