HOMILY OF THE FEAST OF THE ARCHANGELS — YEAR A
HOMILY OF THE FEAST OF THE ARCHANGELS — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE ARCHANGELS
BY: Fr. Karabari Paul
Daniel 7:9-10,13-14, Ps. 138:1-5, John 1:47-51
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Today, the Church invites us to celebrate the Holy Archangels—Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael—and through them to remember a reality that our noisy and materialistic world often makes us forget: heaven is real, God is present, and we are not alone in the spiritual battle of life. According to the tradition of the Catholic Church, there are nine choirs or ranks of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The angels are not gods, nor are they objects of worship; they are servants and messengers of the living God, sent to accomplish His will and to minister to those who are called to salvation. Their existence reminds us that creation is far greater than what our physical eyes can see. There is a spiritual reality surrounding us, and every day we are invited to choose between obedience and rebellion, humility and pride, truth and deception, light and darkness.
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St. Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?”, represents the triumph of humble obedience over the terrible temptation of pride. The tradition of the Church sees Michael as the great defender of God’s honour and protector of God’s people. His very name is a question that every human being must answer: Who is like God? We live in an age in which human beings are often tempted to place themselves at the centre of everything—to decide for themselves what is right and wrong, truth and falsehood, good and evil, as though God must adjust Himself to our desires. Pride whispers, “I know better than God.” Humility answers, “Lord, Your will be done.” The spiritual battle begins in the heart. Whenever we choose God over our ego, truth over convenience, forgiveness over revenge, purity over temptation, and obedience over self-will, we echo the cry of Michael: “Who is like God?” We are reminded that no ambition, possession, pleasure, position, or human power can ever take the place of God.
St. Gabriel, whose name means “Strength of God” or “Might of God,” reminds us of the power of divine revelation and the beauty of God’s saving plan. He was the messenger who announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would become the Mother of the Saviour. Through Gabriel’s message, heaven entered into the ordinary circumstances of a young woman’s life, and Mary responded with the humility that changed the history of salvation: “Let it be to me according to your word.” Gabriel therefore teaches us that God’s greatest works often begin with an invitation that demands faith. God may speak to us through His Word, through the Church, through another person, through circumstances, or through the quiet voice of conscience. The question is not always whether God is speaking; often the question is whether we are humble enough to listen. Gabriel reminds us that when God calls, our response must not be dominated by fear. Grace may ask us to do what we cannot understand, but faith trusts the God who understands everything.
St. Raphael, whose name means “God heals,” reveals another beautiful dimension of God’s love. In the Book of Tobit, Raphael accompanies Tobias on his journey and becomes an instrument of God’s healing and protection. His name speaks directly to every wounded heart: God heals. There are wounds that medicine cannot completely reach, wounds caused by betrayal, rejection, disappointment, guilt, grief, broken relationships, sin, and years of silent suffering. Some people smile in public while carrying enormous pain in private. Some have learned to live with wounds they have stopped believing can ever be healed. But Raphael reminds us that our wounds are not beyond God’s mercy. God heals bodies, but He also heals memories, relationships, consciences, families, and souls. Sometimes He heals immediately; sometimes He heals gradually; and sometimes He gives us the grace to carry a wound while transforming its meaning. Ultimately, the greatest healing is salvation—the restoration of the human person to communion with God.
The First Reading from Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 opens before us a magnificent vision of God’s majesty and heavenly worship. Thrones are set in place, the Ancient of Days is revealed in glory, and countless heavenly beings stand before Him. Then comes “one like a son of man” who receives everlasting dominion and a kingdom that shall never pass away. The Gospel (John 1:47-51) makes the mystery even more beautiful when Jesus tells Nathanael that he will see “heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Jesus is the meeting point between heaven and earth. In Him, heaven has come down to us, and through Him we are invited to enter into the life of heaven. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are reminded that our worship is not merely a human gathering. We join the heavenly chorus in proclaiming the holiness and glory of God.
The presence of the Archangels therefore challenges us to examine our own lives. Do we live like people who truly believe that God is watching over us? Do our choices reveal that there is no one like God? Do we possess the humility to say, like Mary, “Let it be done to me according to your word”? Do we allow God to heal the wounds that have made us bitter, suspicious, angry, or unforgiving? Do we fight against the temptations that continually seek to separate us from God? Michael teaches us courage in spiritual battle. Gabriel teaches us openness to God’s Word and calling. Raphael teaches us to trust God’s healing mercy. Together, they remind us that the Christian life is not simply about surviving this world; it is about preparing our souls for eternity.
Perhaps there are battles in your life that nobody knows about. Perhaps you are fighting temptations that you are ashamed to speak about. Perhaps your family is passing through difficulties. Perhaps your heart is wounded, your faith is weak, or you have become tired of praying because heaven seems silent. Today, remember: you are not abandoned. God has not forgotten you. The invisible world is not empty. The God who created the angels is still God. The God who sent His angels to serve His purposes is still working, even when you cannot see how. But we must not place our trust in angels instead of God. The angels point beyond themselves to the One who created them. Their protection is a gift; their presence is a reminder; their mission is to lead us closer to God.
GOD IS STILL N THE THRONE. Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, pray for us. Protect us from the snares of the evil one. Strengthen us in moments of temptation, guide us in moments of confusion, heal us in moments of suffering, and lead us ever closer to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. May we have the courage of Michael, the obedience of Gabriel, and the healing hope of Raphael. And may our lives continually proclaim the truth that no matter how dark the world becomes, no matter how fierce the battle, and no matter how difficult the journey, GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our world, protect our families, strengthen His Church, and lead us safely to the kingdom of heaven, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Good morning, and may the Holy Archangels intercede for and protect us all.
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