FR. BEN’S HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL ARCHANGELS (1)
FR. BEN’S HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL ARCHANGELS
THEME: A THOUSAND THOUSANDS SERVED HIM!
BY: Benedict Agbo (Rev Fr)
HOMILY FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29 2022
* Dan 7: 9 – 14, Jn 1: 47 – 51.
The prophesy of Danied corroborated by so many other Old Testament passages, indicate that ‘a thous
FR. BEN’S HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL ARCHANGELS
THEME: A THOUSAND THOUSANDS SERVED HIM!
BY: Benedict Agbo (Rev Fr)
HOMILY FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29 2022
* Dan 7: 9 – 14, Jn 1: 47 – 51.
The prophesy of Danied corroborated by so many other Old Testament passages, indicate that ‘a thousand thousands (of angels) served him – the Ancient of Days. To him was given everlasting dominions’. Church tradition revers Ss Michael, Gabriel and Raphael as archangels of heaven. Michael protects the Church/ children of God. Gabriel announces the good news and Raphael guides us. *Michael means in Hebrew ‘Who is like God?’* Church tradition sees him as the guardian angel of the Pope and the Blessed Sacrament protecting the Church from the gates of hell, Matt 16: 18 and instrumental to the fall of Lucifer from heaven, Is 14: 12 – 15 and defeat of the enemies of the children of God (Antiochus Epiphanies was the Old Testament image of the AntiChrist, Dan 11 &12).
*Gabriel means the power of God and the messenger of good tidings.* From Old Testament times he was recognized as the one who explained the vision of the ram and foretold the fall of the Persian empire at the hands of Alexander the great, Dan 8. He also prophesied the coming of Christ after “seven weeks of years”. In the New Testament he is known as the Angel of the Annunciation. He guided Joseph in the flight to Egypt and strengthened our Lord at Gethsemane. In Jewish tradition, he is known as the Angel of Judgment against Sodom and against the army of Sennacherib. Even in Islamic tradition, he is highly recognized since Mohammed claimed in the Qu’ran that he had received his revelations from him as head of Angels.
*Raphael means in Hebrew, ‘God has healed’.* Right from the Old Testament account of the healing of Tobias’ blindness, Archangel Raphael is showcased as the one who guided his son’s trip to Media. He is therefore known as the patron of travellers, young and the innocent.
In today’s gospel, Nathaniel is assured by Christ; ‘You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending’. We all need to pray to come to this level of glorification. But before that, we must tune into this spiritual wavelength through praise worship. We must learn to acknowledge him as the Son of God who is Adonai and Ancient of Days.
* Song: Adonai, we worship you. Son of God you are so good. Almighty God, hallowed be your name. Your dominion is for ever sure.
* Yes, the Angels of God are always singing, ‘You are worthy O Lord’. May God bless you today!
