Sep 29 – Feast of the Holy Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael
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.
And so it was that not merely an angel but the archangel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary. It was only fitting that the highest angel should come to announce the greatest of all messages. So too Gabriel, who is called God’s strength, was sent to Mary. He came to announce the One who appeared as a humble man to quell the cosmic powers. Thus God’s strength announced the coming of the Lord of the heavenly powers, mighty in battle.
- from a homily by Pope St. Gregory the Great
Michael was the leader of the army of God during the Lucifer uprising. Devotion to him is common to Muslims, Christians and Jews, with writings about him in all three cultures. He is considered as the guardian angel of Israel, and the guardian and protector of the Church.
Raphael is one of the seven angels that stand before God’s throne. He is the lead character in the book of Tobit in which he travelled with (and guarded) Tobiah, and cured a man’s blindness; hence his connection with travellers, young people, blindness, healing and healers.
- Patron Saint Index
Dan 7:9-10. 13-14
Jn 1:47-51
“How do you know me?”
Today’s feast holds a special place in my heart for it reminds me of the importance of the Archangels in our lives. Each of them play an important role in our lives and each of them have a lesson to share with us on how to face the challenges which present themselves to our lives. In particular, I like to share with you my personal love for St Raphael.
St Raphael shows us that God desires to heal us in all aspects of our lives. There are some of you who are going through physical affliction similar to what Tobit went through. Perhaps we can learn from Tobit’s attitude of not losing his temper with God but trusting that God will heal him in His own time. Throughout Tobias journey to meet Tobit’s kinsmen, the angel Raphael journeyed with Tobias to make sure that no harm befell him.
Furthermore, all of us going through emotional pain now can take comfort in the words of assurance given by the angel Raphael to Tobit and Sarah at the end of Tobias’s journey where he shared that the record of all the good work done by Tobit was brought up to God by him. I am assured that God will send his angel Raphael to heal us in God’s own time.
As we enter into another week at work, may we continue to draw strength from the love of God who desires to heal us. In doing so, may we always remember to give thanks to God in moments of success because the angel Raphael reminds us that “You enjoyed this success that you might honor them all the days of their lives.” ~ Tobit 10:13
(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)
Prayer: Holy Archangels, pray for us
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for all who allow us to discover God’s healing in our lives.
OXYGEN 
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