Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels
Today is the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. As we venerate these mighty messengers of God, let us thank God for all the many ways that God speaks to us, protects us, watches over us, provides for us, intervenes for us, saves us, and loves us.
The Archangels are powerful supernatural beings sent by God for specific purposes. We meet Raphael in the book of Tobit (which is a fabulously compelling story – if you’ve not read it, I highly recommend it); Gabriel, of course announces the birth of Christ to Mary and appears to Daniel, as well; we learn of Michael in Jude and Revelation. We may tend to think of the Archangels as mere historic figures, but we actually join them in every Mass when we celebrate the Eucharist along with the entire hosts of heaven.
God can choose to command any of his angels even now to watch over us, protect us, and intervene for us. As a convert to Catholicism, I’ll admit I was skeptical about the existence of guardian angels until I had a personal encounter with one. I used to travel frequently to Honduras on mission trips. During one of my stays, the team and I were traveling every evening over dark, remote country roads. A dear friend messaged me and said he had sent his guardian angel to accompany me on these somewhat dangerous journeys. I recall thinking to myself, “that’s nice,” but doubting the existence of such a being. One night, the team and I were in the back of a large, open-air truck on one of those dark back roads. Suddenly, the Lord opened my eyes, and I saw my friend’s guardian angel standing with me across the truck bed! The angel was very tall, broad, and strong, with a chiseled face and massive wings. I was stunned! Stunned not only at being afforded a glimpse of this angelic being, but more so by God’s incredible love for me that God would care for me to this extent – even commanding an angel for me.
On another trip to Honduras, I was alone in a hotel room one night when suddenly I sensed in my spirit the presence of evil moving about the hallways of the hotel. To make a long story very short, I began to pray as I sensed this movement in the building, and suddenly I experienced a personal attack when a demonic presence entered my room. In the midst of this terrifying encounter, I knew that I only needed to speak the Name of Jesus out loud and the darkness would have to flee. Once I could proclaim, “JESUS!” that evil spirit left as quickly as it had come. Immediately, I flipped on the light, opened my bible to Psalm 91 and gratefully prayed these words: “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver you . . . he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge . . . You will not fear the terror of the night . . . Because you have made the Lord your refuge . . . no evil shall befall you . . . For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” The most important, powerful, and vital spiritual weapon is Jesus’ Name. Secondarily, I knew that God had indeed commanded his angels concerning me to protect, guard, and defend me that night.
I share these testimonies only so that you might be strengthened in your faith and confidence in God’s protective love for you. How, when, and where have you experienced God’s protection and intervention in your life? Certainly, we each know the saving love of God in the Paschal Mystery. Perhaps you’ve had some deeply personal encounters, as well. Let’s recall all the evidence of God’s protective care in our lives, including his promise to command his angels concerning us, and let’s pray in awe, joy, and gratitude for the extent to which God loves and cares for us.
Elizabeth Wourms