Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

 Lectionary: 647

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."

Nathaniel was astounded by the Lord's remark about him, but the insight immediately rang true. He knew but had never thought, nor had anyone suggested, that he was "a true child of Israel," and innocent of duplicity. The truth about himself came as a revelation, a word of God; and penetrated his heart with the joy of being known.

Some time later Saint Paul would remark about knowledge of heavenly and earthly things, and about our knowledge of others and of ourselves: 

"At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known."

Truth often speaks to us also about our sins, reminding us of both objective guilt and subjective shame; but when it comes it sounds like the Lord's beautiful voice, with both affection and authority; and it arouses joy in our hearts. "I am known and loved by the Lord, despite my sins! I had never known that was possible!" And so we may "go to confession" with elated gratitude, and declare. "The Lord has save me!"

With faith -- that is, the knowledge of being known as God knows me -- comes an awareness of the immediate presence of heavenly and earthly persons. Freed of self, we know, recognize, and honor other people. "I am not alone, as I had so long supposed!"

And we see as Nathaniel saw,

"...heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

During the worse days of the Covid epidemic in the VA hospital, when no one was allowed to attend Mass in the VA hospital -- despite our gathering in knots around the nurses' stations -- I oftened summoned that awareness of Mary and her heavenly court of angels to be with me and to allow my voice to blend with theirs in praise of God. 

Saint Francis discovered Her presence in the small Portiuncula chapel where his life of penance and his community which he called "Penitents from Assisi" began. He rebuilt stone by stone the ruined San Damiano chapel with his own hands; and named it "Our Lady of the Angels." He saw in its bare stones the poverty of the Holy Family in Egypt and Nazareth, and knew Our Lady has blessed all the poor of the world with her presence. 

On this day, as we celebrate the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael we honor the God who has blessed us with the protection, guidance, and inspiration of watchers and holy ones who pray with us.