Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 9-29-03, Feast. Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 9-29-03 | New American Bible

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September 29, 2003
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

Psalm: Monday 42 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel

Reading I
Dn 7:9-10, 13-14

As I watched:

Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.

The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw

One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.


or

Rev 12:7-12ab

War broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them."

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5

R (1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD:
"Great is the glory of the LORD."
R In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

Gospel
Jn 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
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."

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Thought for the Day

[God] does not want each person to keep all the counsels, but only those appropriate to the diversity of persons, times, opportunities, and strengths, as charity requires; for it is charity, as queen of all virtues, all commandments, all counsels, and, in short, of all laws and all Christian actions that gives to all of them their rank, order, time, and value.

 -- St. Francis de Sales, Love of God

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FEAST OF THE DAY

The Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are three servants of
God who are mentioned throughout both Old and New Testaments
of the Bible. These angels bear witness to God's transcendence and
loving care for us. The three archangels we honor today are the only
angelic messengers whose deeds are mentioned by specifically in
Scripture.

Michael, whose name means "Who is like God", appears in the Book
of Daniel as "the great prince" who defends Israel against its
enemies. Michael is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation as the
one who leads God's armies to finally victory over the forces of
Satan. Devotion to Michael was common in the East during the
fourth century and the Church in the West began to observe the
feast sometime in the fifth century.


Gabriel, whose name means "God's Strength", also is mentioned in
the Book of Daniel. He is the messenger who announces the role of
Michael in God's plan. His best known appearance in the Bible is
when he appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce her great
place in God's plan as the mother of the Messiah.


Raphael, whose name means "God's Remedy", is mentioned in the
Old Testament exclusively in the Book of Tobit. Here, he acts as a
guide to Tobiah in his adventures. Raphael is instrumental in
bringing about the happy ending where Tobbiah is married, Tobit is
healed of blindness, and Tobit's family fortune is restored.

---

QUOTE OF THE DAY

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of
Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named
Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And
coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But
she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of
greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid,
Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in
your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will
be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God
will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the
house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom their will be no end." -Lk 1:26-34


TODAY IN HISTORY

440 Election of Pope Leo I "the Great"
557 Death of St. Cyriacus the Recluse
1582 Death of St. Theresa


TODAY'S TIDBIT

Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael the Archangel,
Defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do you, O Prince of the heavenly host,
By the power of God, thrust into hell
Satan and all evil spirits
Who wander through the world
For the ruin of souls.
Amen


INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray, through the intercession of the Archangels, for all the
ordained ministers of the Church.

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The Word Among Us

Monday, September 29, 2003 Meditation Revelation 12:7-12 The Archangels Today, we commemorate the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The catechism tells us that angels are created spiritual beings with intellects and wills and that each angel is a unique and immortal heavenly being (CCC, 327-336). The functions of these three archangels correspond to three major thrusts of Jesus’ ministry: announcing good news, healing the sick, and delivering the oppressed. Gabriel, whose name means “God is mighty,” is God’s messenger. He announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Savior. Raphael—whose name means “God heals”—is associated with God’s healing power in the Book of Tobit. Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?” delivers God’s people from oppression by doing battle with Satan (Revelation 12:7). Though humans are “a little lower than angels,” our destiny is to be divinized in Christ and raised above even the angels (Psalm 8:4-6). Scripture tells us that the devil—who himself was once a mighty angel—rebelled against God out of envy because we were to be the “first fruits of all God created” (James 1:18; Wisdom 2:23-24; Revelation 12:3-9). So, if we want to protect ourselves, we need to be alert to the spiritual battle. While Jesus has already defeated Satan and his fallen angels, they are still free to tempt and test us until Jesus comes again in glory. By understanding the seriousness of this battle, we can arm ourselves with the assurance that, through Jesus, we are incorporated into the Trinity. In Christ, nothing can overcome us. God’s angels are here to minister to our needs (Hebrews 1:14). As we celebrate the feast of the archangels today, let us wrap ourselves in Jesus’ love, ask his angels to help us, and thank God for his provision for us. “Father, I praise you for the glory and splendor of your angels. I welcome them into my family, into the church, and into the world.”

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One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

<< Monday, September 29, 2003 >>

Sts. Michael, Gabriel, & Raphael

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or
Revelation 12:7-12

Psalm 138

John 1:47-51

View Readings

I’M GLAD THEY’RE INVISIBLE

“You shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” —John 1:51

Nathanael may have been able to see angels, but the Lord doesn’t choose to give this ability to most of us. One of the great things about archangels and angels is that they are invisible. Although we can see the effects of their actions, it is usually unclear what the angels are doing. For the most part, angels are a matter of faith, not sight (2 Cor 5:7).

Michael has warred and continues to war against Satan and his demons (see Rv 12:7). Due to Jesus’ ultimate victory through His death and resurrection, the war against Satan is already won. All that Michael and we have left to do is to put Jesus’ enemies beneath His feet (Heb 10:13). Nevertheless, we don’t always or easily see the victory of Jesus, nor do we see Michael merely mopping up after the war.

Gabriel revealed and reveals to us the Incarnation and its colossal consequences. In the Spirit, we can “grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love” (Eph 3:18). Yet how many of us feel we are basking in the light of divine revelation through Gabriel’s ministry?

Raphael is sent by the Lord to do many things, especially to heal. He particularly heals the eyes. Many of you are sick. You have asked the Lord to heal you. You may have even asked Raphael to bring healing to you. But you don’t see healing.

We must walk by faith, not by sight. God is loving us through the archangels, whether we know it or not. Believe God.

Prayer: Father, open the eyes of my heart (see Eph 1:18) to believe much more deeply in You, Your love, and Your angels.

Promise: “They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” —Rv 12:11

Praise: “I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord” (Tb 12:15).

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No problem. :-)

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Feast of St. Michael the Archangel

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Apoligies to St. Michael

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Feast Day of Michael,Gabriel and Raphael[Michael's Battle With The Dragon]

Also includes the Chaplet to St. Michael and some other prayers.

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Everyone needs to read this story!!!

The Story of Michael

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St. Gabriel Archangel