Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - Archangels.... (Sept. 29)

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - Archangels.... (Sept. 29)

 

            Today we celebrate three archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The term archangel occurs only in one book of the bible and seems to be an honorary term given to angels whose names appeared in scripture. Michael means - who is like God. He is understood as the one who marshals heavenly power against evil. He is often depicted in warrior mode. He is the universal patron for the church and against evils and Satan battles. Gabriel means - God is strong and he is the one who carried important messages to Mary, Joseph and Zachariah; he is the patron saint of communication. Raphael means - God has healed. He is the promoter of healthy and the patron saint of medicine.

            The word angel means messenger in the original Greek. Angels, as stated in the scripture, serve many other functions: companions, guardians, guides, overseers,, members of the heavenly court.

            All this suggests that we should think of them as personifications of the loving presence of God among us and in us. in any case, we understand angels best if we think of them as doing what all of us should be doing for each other, that is, serving as the means by which God heals, comforts, strengthens, helps fellow human beings, touches to soothe, accompanies, welcomes, supports, defends....etc. Our angels are our fellow humans in acting the grace of God in LOVE....

 

PRAYER TO: SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

The blood supermoon lunar eclipse - did you see?

Did you see the blood supermoon lunar eclipse?

Many people in many parts of the world have had their smart phones and cameras out for a rare supermoon eclipse, the first of its kind since 1982, and the last we'll see until 2033. I was also not left out of this historical event in our planet - and I took my phone too to record the eclipse straight from Philadelphia, USA.

Clear skies in some parts of the world (and where I was in deed) allowed those who stayed up or woke up at around 3 a.m. to enjoy spectacular views of the 'Blood Moon', which takes its name from the reddish hue the moon takes as Earth's shadow passes over it.

Pope's words of encouragement....

Pope's words in Philadelphia, USA.

 

"...America, the land of the free and the home of the brave - just like happiness, holiness is "tied to little gestures. These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different; They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, friends and all who get concerned of us...Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home...