Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Feast for Saint Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangel Dem
Listen for English
“Amen, amen, I dey tell una, una go see heaven open, and God angels dey go up and come down on the Son of Man.” John 1:51
For Heaven, we go see everything the way God dey see them. That complete view go glorious pass wetin we fit describe. And among the many things wey go amaze us when we see things from Heaven na the ways wey the heavenly beings dey use mighty power wey person no fit imagine to help bring God Kingdom into being. The Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Guardian Angels all dey cooperate with God grace, just as every musician for one orchestra dey work together to produce one piece of beautiful music. Na God dey direct the music, but these heavenly beings dey take part for the great fulfilment of God will, as living instruments of His divine grace.
Today feast dey honour three of the great archangels wey Scripture mention: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The Book of Daniel for the Old Testament describe Archangel Michael as protector, and the Books of Revelation and Jude describe am as person wey dey fight satan. For Revelation, Michael drive satan and the other fallen angels comot from Heaven. The Book of Daniel also talk about Archangel Gabriel as the one wey explain Daniel vision. For the New Testament, na him appear to the chief priest Zechariah while Zechariah dey offer sacrifice for the temple. When Gabriel appear, e reveal to Zechariah say him wife go born pikin, even though she don old well-well. Wetin people fit know Gabriel for pass na say God send am to the Blessed Virgin Mary to reveal to her say she go become the mother of the Saviour of the World. Lastly, the Book of Tobit for the Old Testament mention Archangel Raphael and talk say God send am to heal Tobit eyes.
As we dey honour these three archangels, we fit dey sure say dem be three out of countless other angels wey dey cooperate with God to bring His grace and His will into our world. Try imagine this deep truth. Some angels dey build up God Kingdom by giving their whole existence to worship God without end before His throne. The highest among them na the Seraphim. Other angels dey build up the Kingdom by bringing God grace and truth to us, and by stepping into our lives according to God will. These ones na especially the guardian angels. The archangels, wey we dey honour three of them today, get the special work to bring us the most important messages and graces from God.
Today, reflect on the glorious reality of all the heavenly beings. In particular, call on these three heavenly beings wey we know their names, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, to help us as mediators. Call on our guardian angels and all the other heavenly beings too. As we dey do this, no be only to their loving care we dey entrust ourselves; we also dey make an act of faith in God, as we dey express our belief say God don choose to use these heavenly beings to bring His Kingdom into being. On their own, angels no get power to act. But because dem dey act only in complete agreement with God will, their work as mediators get the same power as God grace, because na God dey work through them. Acknowledge them today, call on their help as mediators, and profess your faith in the glorious work wey dem dey do to build up God Kingdom.
Most glorious Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, abeg come help me. I entrust myself, my family, our Church and the whole world to the loving help wey una dey give as mediators. Abeg bring God grace into our lives, bring God Word and His holy Will to us, protect us from every harm and bring healing to those wey need am. Angels of God, pray for us. Jesus, na You I trust.
Novena to St. Thérèse, di Small Flower
September 22-30
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Today Feast– Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
Featured image for up: Council of Seven Holy Archangels. Russian icon, through Wikimedia Commons
