Daily Reflection – Sep 29, 2016
Thursday 29 September 2016
First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Responsorial Psalm:
In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord
Psalm 137(138):1-5
Gospel Reading: John 1:47-51
Today’s Feast: Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels
Prayer to St Michael
Prayer to St Raphael
Gospel Reading:
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Reflection:
You will see . . . the angels of God. (John 1:51)
Most names don’t reveal very much about the person who carries them. But that’s not true of angels, whom we honor today. Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?” is known for his great power in fighting against Satan and his demons. Gabriel, whose name means “strength,” certainly gave strength to Mary when he told her she would be the Mother of God (Luke 1:28). Raphael, whose name means “healer,” cured Tobit’s blindness (Tobit 11).
We can’t help but admire the archangels. Like all the angels, they have remarkable abilities. As pure spirits, their knowledge and power are beyond our comprehension. But they’re not like the superheroes found in films and comic books. They live to serve God and worship him. Their wonderful gifts are only a pale reflection of his infinite perfection and beauty. What’s more, as amazing as they are, each is a “fellow servant” along with us, and their inspiration can lead us to worship God more fully (Revelation 19:10).
Perhaps the best way to honor the archangels today is to join them in worshipping Jesus. We can take our cue from Nathanael. Jesus told him he would see “heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:51). We have that same opportunity at every Mass. We may not see the angels, but they are there, adoring Jesus on the altar. Along with them, we can be caught up in the love and holiness of the Son of God and be moved to lay down our lives before him.
Did you know that at Mass we can do something the angels can’t? We can receive Jesus as our nourishment! All the qualities of God that the angels have a share in—his wisdom, his love, his beauty—are contained in the Eucharist. So the next time you are at Mass, know that you are in the company of angels, and join them in giving Jesus all the praise and worship your heart can muster!
“Thank you, Lord, that you have made me lower than the angels, yet you come to me as the Bread of Life. May I be open to all the grace you want to give me in your Body and Blood.”
