Wednesday Word . . . Michaelmas
This past Monday was the feast day of Saint Michael and All Angels. Angels play an important part of our Christian faith, even though we may not recognize that in today’s world.
Angels appear in several places in Scripture, but only four are ever named: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel. Michael is often depicted carrying a sword and is seen as the commanding general of God’s army. Michael is considered the greatest of the angels as being the one who defeated Satan in the war in heaven. This role of God’s warrior is attested to in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
We might be most familiar with Gabriel. Often depicted with a trumpet, signifying the role of God’s herald, Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus to Zechariah and Mary respectively. Gabriel also appears to Daniel to explain his visions. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all reference Gabriel by name.
Raphael only appears by name in the Book of Tobit (found in the Apocrypha). Raphael is derived from the Hebrew word meaning “to heal.” This is shown in Tobit when Raphael heals Tobit’s eyes. Because of this, Raphael is also seen as the angel who stirs the waters of the pool in Bethsaida allowing people who stepped in the pool to be healed.
The fourth archangel is Uriel who appears in the Second Book of Esdras (also in the Apocrypha). Uriel’s name means, “God is my flame.” Religious traditions being what they are, Uriel is seen as the angel who guards the entrance to Eden, checked the doors for lamb’s blood during the last plague in Egypt, the one who holds the key to the pit during the end times, and symbolizes the divine presence.
We may not see angels all around us, but we do recognize their presence. During Communion we say, “Holy, holy, holy Lord . . .” as we join our voices with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven.
May God’s holy angels help and defend us here on earth with the same dedication with which they serve and worship God in heaven.
Blessings,
