Feast of the Archangels ~ Thoughts a little late

 

There are two angel feast days on the liturgical calendar: October 2, the Feast of the Guardian Angels, and September 29, the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.  The flowers in the picture above are called Michaelmas Asters as they are guaranteed to be in full bloom for the archangel's celebration, even into October's first frost The flower's name is surely a survivor of the Protestant Reformation  which changed the names of all the flowers that had spiritual significance.

Anyway, Father Rahner writes that angels are the Entourage of Jesus. Lovely. Entourage (19th c. French for surround) means a group of people who attend or surround an important person. Synonyms would be retinue, escorts, company.  We encounter these surrounding angels in the gospels.

The Archangel Gabriel announces the conception of Jesus to the Virgin Mary. Luke 1:26-38

Angels fill the sky with song on Christmas night. Luke 2: 8-20

While angels are not mentioned in the account of Christ's Baptism, they are often present in iconology.

An angel ministers to Jesus at the end of his wilderness fasting. Matthew 4:11

Another angel ministers to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke 22:43

There is an angel at the empty Easter tomb. Mark 16:5

And there are angels of instruction in the Ascension sky. Acts 1:10-11

Are they real? Why not? Though statues and icons are only attempts at depicting invisible realities. More importantly (and don't you feel this too?) I want to be counted among Christ's retinue, known to be one of his company, found among those who surround Jesus in love and learning. Happy Feast Day!

A Synaxsis of Archangels at the Start of Lent

The word synaxsis means a gathering for worship. I suppose then we could call Sunday Mass a synaxsis. But here's a synaxsis of Archangels. The tradition says there are seven archangels but the bible mentions only Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. The other names, which vary widely and wildly, come from extra-biblical or apocryphal Jewish and Christian sources. We might invoke their help as we set out along the Lenten Way.

Michael this day, may we find our way off the dark road of hate.

Michael this day, might we think something previously unthinkable.

Michael this day, that I would know why I was born.

Michael this day, that mercy would trounce fear.

Gabriel this day, may I allow God to disturb me.

Gabriel this day, might I be blessed with the gift of right communicating.

Gabriel this day, I pray the vision needed to love rightly.

Gabriel this day, strength, as I might be thrown off course today.

Raphael this day, truth enough to stop labeling people.

Raphael this day, heal the suffering of my fretting.

Raphael this day, was it you who stirred the Bethsaida waters? Stir up new consciousness in 

me.

Raphael this day, may I see the beauty that lies beyond my eyes.

Uriel this day, wisdom to solve some problem.

Uriel this day, illumination in my darkened mind.

Uriel this day, may my religion be transformative.

Uriel this day, is there some forgiveness I've yet to extend?

Raquel this day, friend of God, draw me in.

Raquel this day, angel of justice, teach me.

Raquel this day, elevate our national conversation.

Raquel this day, less talking, more listening for us.

Zerachiel this day, God's command, love born of insight.

Zerachiel this day, not to fear God, but to love him.

Zerachiel this day, that the nation not lose compassion.

Zerachiel this day, that the nation not lose humility.

Remiel this day, keep us from giving way to panic and despair.

Remiel this day, teach us solidarity.

Remiel this day, may we know we are spiritual beings.

Remiel this day, may my prayer be a cry of the heart.