Today's feast day honors the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the only angels mentioned by name in the Bible. We thank God for these three archangels. We need them now more than ever.
The only way to understand nearly forty years of killing millions of babies through abortion and the collapse of marriage and family life is to realize that "our battle is not against human forces" but against the devil (Eph 6:12). We need Michael to fulfill his part in God's plan of salvation: to fight and defeat the devil (Rv 12:7-9).
Our society is smothered in bad news. Daily we gorge ourselves on it. We rejoice in what is wrong rather than in the truth (1 Cor 13:6). In a world of faithless confusion, we need the light and good news of Gabriel (see Dn 9:21; Lk 1:26).
The blindness of sin is so pervasive in our society. When we refuse to repent, we even blind ourselves and become blind to being blind (see Is 29:9). Under these circumstances, we need Raphael to open our eyes (see Tb 11:7ff).
All angels are sent by God to serve us "who are to inherit salvation" (Heb 1:14). We are in great need, and God has provided angelic servants for us. Employ these mighty creatures to help you serve the Lord.
| PRAYER: | Father, You created angels for good reason. May I let them be fully active in my life. |
| PROMISE: | "You shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." –Jn 1:51 |
| PRAISE: | "It was I who presented and read the record of your prayer...I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord" (Tb 12:12, 15). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College