DAILY- HOMILY

September 29, 2018 – SATURDAY, 25TH Week in Ordinary Time

STS. MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL

Archangels

Feast. White.

Rv 12: 7- 12a / Jn 1: 47- 51

This Feast honors the Archangels Michael ("Who is Like God"), Gabriel ("Strength of God") and Raphael ("Medicine of God").

FROM THE 1ST READING:             Rv 12: 7- 11

War broke out in heaven with Michael and his angels battling with the dragon. The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated and lost their place in heaven. The great dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, seducer of the whole world, was thrown out. He was hurled down to earth, together with his angels.

Then I heard a loud voice from heaven: Now has salvation come, with the power and the kingdom of our God. For our brothers' accuser has been cast out, who accused them night and day before God. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they gave up their lives going to death.

GOSPEL READING:           Jn 1: 47- 51

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said to him, "Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him." Nathanael asked him, "How do you know me?" And Jesus said to him, "Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree and I saw you."

Nathanael answered, "Master, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" But Jesus replied, "You believe because I said: ' I saw you under the fig tree.' But you will see greater things than that. Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

REFLECTION

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. We are familiar with Michael, the fighter and warrior of God, and with Gabriel, God's messenger to Mary and Zechariah for the birth of their sons.

The Archangel Raphael, "the Medicine of God," appears in the book of Tobit to heal Tobit from his blindness and to protect Tobias in her marriage to Sara who had been tormented by many devils.

In the first reading from Revelation, we see Michael, God's warrior, defeating Satan and his evil hosts. These struggles against evil forces continue today. The Church teaches against evil and lies. Michael helps protect the Church and all those who live for goodness and truth.

In the Gospel reading, at Jesus' call of his first disciples, we hear Jesus assuring us that angels are at God's bidding, "ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." The angels and archangels help us in our life journey to heaven and the kingdom of God. We are urged to call upon them in our daily lives and in time of need.

Have a good day!

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