In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord."

Today's Mass Readings

Today we celebrate the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that, "The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition." Thus, the existence of angels is clearly entrenched in our faith. The names of these archangels give us much information about the role angles play in our own lives. Michael means, “Who is like unto God?” Michael fought against Satan and all his evil angels and defended the friends of God. Thus, today millions pray for his protection against the snare of the Evil One. Gabriel means, “Strength of God.” Gabriel appears both in the Old and New Testaments as the carrier of God’s message. Gabriel was entrusted with the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus. Christians who pray the Hail Mary repeat Gabriel’s words to Mary in that prayer. Raphael means, the “cure of God.” It was this archangel who in the Old Testament took care of Tobias on his journey.

On this feast day, the gospel reading helps understand the fact that loves pure goodness. Jesus praises Nathaniel because there was no duplicity in him. In other words, here was someone who personified goodness. Pure goodness is an angelic virtue. Today’s feast then is the feast of all those who love pure goodness.

We thank God for the angels who inspire us and help us toward goodness. Let us however, also pray that like the angels we will be God’s messengers and helpers even as we live human lives. In fact on this feast day, let us resolve to only let goodness emanate from us today. Let everyone who meets us think they have met an angel.