September 29, 2020 – Feast of Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092920.cfm)

Homily

How to be you, po? This is a youthful expression of admiration to a person and desire to become the person being admired. The admired person may have shown great talents, goodness and kindness that touched and inspired others or some other good qualities.

The feast that we celebrate today, though they are not human beings like us, but spirits, Archangels, have something to teach us, as these angels reveal qualities that we can develop as we relate with one another and with God.

Let us discover a bit who these archangels are and what they reveal to us and about God.

The three are particularly called “Archangels” and not just “angels” because of the great importance behind their ministry. Their ministries are also revealed through their names.

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In particular, the name “Michael” means “the one who is like God.” The Book of Revelation mentions Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon identified as the Devil and Satan. Michael, the angel who fights against the Devil and protects the people shows the might and power of God. Thus, the ministry of Michael tells us how goodness will always defeat evil, and how God overpowers the Devil.

Gabriel will always be remembered because of the role he played in the birth of Jesus. The name “Gabriel” means “the strength of God.” At the annunciation to Mary, Gabriel revealed how the strength of God was manifested in the ordinary life of Mary and in the smallness of the birth of a child. Gabriel also announced the birth of John that revealed how God showed power through the childless old couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth. This child will prepare the way of the Prince of peace. The ministry of Gabriel reminds us that the strength of God is found even with the small, even with those that the world thought to be insignificant.

Raphael brings healing to people. Hence, the name “Raphael” means “God’s remedy.” In the Book of Tobit (see chapter 12), Raphael healed Tobit from his blindness and freed Sarah from a demon that tormented her. The ministry of this archangel tells us how God touches us to bring healing to us, to our wounded hearts, to our tired bodies and tormented spirits.

Celebrating this feast today, this calls us too that as we seek the intercession of these Archangels, we should also learn from them and develop those characters that these Archangels possess.

Thus, like Michael who is called the one who is like God, we are called to also protect others, to defend others especially the weak and the least in our community, and not to let darkness and evil to win. As individuals and as a community, we do our best with the help of God’s grace to counter our evil desires and the evil intentions of those who are corrupt and abusive.

Like Gabriel, who is the strength of God by announcing the coming of the Lord, we are also called to announce Jesus to all but first we are called to always welcome and embrace Jesus in our life. Jesus, as he was born as an infant, his presence may also appear in ways we do not expect. Be mindful then, of God’s ordinary and everyday revelations.

Like Raphael, who is God’s remedy, we are also called to be instruments of healing to the wounded, to those who are in pain, to the suffering by being able to touch them. Touch others with your kindness and concern, with your friendship and love as God touches us with his presence. Hinaut pa.

Jom Baring, CSsR