- Psalm 8:3-5 -
- From: "Traudel" <richarra@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:35:44 -0500
- Psalm 8:3-5 -
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
_____________________________________________________________________
When we look at the vast expanse of creation, we wonder how God could be
concerned for people who constantly disappoint him. Yet God created us only
a
little lower than himself or the angels! The next time you question your
worth
as a person, remember that God considers you highly valuable. We have great
worth because we bear the stamp of the Creator. Because God has already
declared
how valuable we are to him, we can be set free from feelings of
worthlessness.
<<>><<>><<>>
September 29th - Archangels
Today we celebrate the feasts of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Rafael
as
well as all the other angels of the heavenly court. The feast of the
Guardian
Angels is celebrated separately, on October 2nd. Each of the Archangels
feasts
were celebrated on separate dates at one time, but with the review of the
Roman
Martyrology, they were all moved to this date.
Archangel Gabriel
Gabriel is found in the Book of Daniel and in Luke 1:19 and 26. His name is
the
Hebrew word for "Hero of God." In Daniel 8:16 we read, "...and I heard a
human
voice by the Ulai, calling, 'Gabriel, help this man understand the
vision..."
and in 9:21 we read, "...while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel,
whom I
had seen before in a vision, came to me in swift flight at the time of the
evening sacrifice. He came and said to me, 'Daniel, I have now come out to
give
you wisdom and understanding..." In the Gospel of Luke 1:19 we read, "The
angel
replied, 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent
to
speak to you and to bring you this good news..." and 1:26 relates, "In the
sixth
month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called
Nazareth..."
In the Book of Daniel, Gabriel's role is to strengthen Daniel and explain
the
visions to him. In Luke's Gospel Gabriel's role is as a messenger from God
foretelling the coming birth of John the Baptist to Zachariah and the coming
birth of Jesus to Mary. A 5th century mosaic of the Annunciation is the
first
representation of an angel with two wings and feet. The first liturgical
reference to Gabriel is found in a 7th century litany of the saints which
mentions all three angels. Gabriel was made patron of those in
telecommunications by Pope Pius XII in 1951. He is popular in both Jewish
and
Islamic traditions.
Archangel Michael
Michael is found in Daniel, Jude and the Book of Revelations. Michael, also
is
taken from the Hebrew, and means "who is like to God." He is represented as
the
defender and protector of Israel. In the Book of Daniel, chapter 10, Michael
fights against the angel of the Persians. In 12:1 he is their source of
help,
strength and comfort. We read, "At that time Michael, the great prince, the
protector of your people shall rise..." In the Book of Jude 9, we read, "But
when the archangel Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the
body
of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander against him,
but
said, 'The Lord rebuke you'..." Michael is the victor against Satan and his
followers in the war of rebellion. The Book of Revelations 12:7-9 relates,
"And
war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon.
The
dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no
longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that
ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the
whole
world-he was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with
him."
Michael was the first to have a specific liturgical observance. At least
since
the 4th century churches have been dedicated to Michael and the other
angels.
Since about the 5th century he has been honored as the patron of soldiers.
Today
he is also the patron of bankers, grocers, paratroopers and radiologists. In
sacred art he is usually pictured with the scales of justice and a sword.
Archangel Raphael
Raphael (Rafael) is found in the Book of Tobit. His Hebrew name means "God
has
healed." In Tobit his role is that of God's envoy, sent to bring healing to
Tobit and Sarah in answer to their ardent appeals to Yahweh. Raphael becomes
the
traveling companion hired by Tobit to take his son, Tobias, to Medea to
collect
his father's money. During the journey Raphael has Tobias catch a fish,
which
will be used to minister to Sarah, daughter of Raguel, whose seven husbands
have
died before consummating their marriage to her. Sarah's prayers are answered
and
Tobias becomes her husband. The couple returns with Raphael to Tobit's home
where Raphael again uses Tobias. This time the fish is used to heal Tobit's
blindness. In 12:15, Raphael tells Tobit and Tobias, "I am Raphael, one of
the
seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord." A
church
in Venice, Italy was dedicated in the 7th century to Raphael, but it wasn't
until the 17th century that a more formal liturgy was established for his
feast.
In 1921 a universal feast was established for him by Pope Benedict XV.
Because
his name means God has healed and because of his role of healing in the Book
of
Tobit, many believe that it was Raphael who caused the water of the healing
sheep-pool to be moved (John 5:1-4). Today Raphael is the patron of
travelers,
pharmacists, blindness, health inspectors and those who are leaving home.
Quote:
The Church must steadily and firmly heed that although the language of the
people may change, the language of liturgy should not be altered. Thus, the
Mass must be said in the language in which it was said from the beginning,
even
if such a language be already, antiquated and strange to the people, for it
is
wholly enough, if the learned men understand it.
-Pope Benedict XIV
Bible Quote
41 The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall
condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas. And behold a
greater than Jonas here. (Matthew 12:41)
<><><><>
A prayer to Saint Michael, for aid against the spiritual enemies of God:
Glorious St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly hosts, who standest always
ready to give assistance to the people of God; who didst fight with the
dragon, the old serpent, and didst cast him out of heaven, and now
valiantly defendest the Church of God that the gates of hell may never
prevail against her, I earnestly entreat thee to assist me also, in the
painful and dangerous conflict which I have to sustain against the same
formidable foe.
Be with me, O mighty Prince! that I may courageously fight and
wholly vanquish that proud spirit, whom thou hast by the Divine Power, so
gloriously overthrown, and whom our powerful King, Jesus Christ, has, in
our nature, so completely overcome; to the end that having triumphed over
the enemy of my salvation, I may with thee and the holy angels, praise the
clemency of God who, having refused mercy to the rebellious angels after
their fall, has granted repentance and forgiveness to fallen man. Amen.
<><><><>
Saint Anthony, Restorer of Speech to the Mute
Dear St. Anthony, how tongue-tied I can be when I should be
praising God and defending the oppressed. My cowardice
often strikes me dumb; I am afraid to open my mouth.
St. Anthony, Restorer of Speech to the Mute, release me from
my fears. Teach me to praise God and to champion the rights
of those unjustly treated. Please remember also all my intentions.
(Name them.)
.
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