St. Michael and the Feast of the Archangels

The Feast of the Archangels

You   will see Heaven open and the angels of God will be ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

What an interesting statement within the bible. In speaking this way, it underscores the feast celebrated today. That is . . . the angelic powers serve Christ. They carry out His will.

Why is that important? The world has some odd ideas about angels. Angels are messengers from Heaven. On this Feast day of the great Archangels – Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, we recognize the importance of angels and their doing of the will of the Lord.

These three Archangels, however, have a role that is important, decisive, and powerful. Lists exists of the names of seven or nine Archangels. However,  authoritatively, there are only three in which we know their names.

The Three Archangels

The names of the arch angels are a message in themselves. Indeed, angel means messenger. The three Archangels have a message.

• In the ancient world, the “el” at the end of each of the names means God. Again, in the ancient world, “el” means God.

Each of the three names all say something about God, and to their role or mission.

• Michael: means Who is Like God? The name in a sense is a question. His role: None is Like God! He defends the Honor of the Lord.
• Raphael: means the Healing of God! His role: He comes to us and walks with us in times of our woundedness. He brings healing to the world.
• Gabriel: means The Strength of God. He is also known as the great messenger. Why is he known as Strength of God? Because he is the messenger that brings the word of God. He brings the word of God’s will into the world.

Hear how these three Archangels serve the Lord in this meditation piece. Celebrate and listen to how each of these archangels are at the service of Jesus, and what that actually means.