September 29
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intention
7:45 AM – Jim Hughes / Family
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Readings
First Reading
Daniel 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.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 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 Acclamation
Psalms 103:21
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
John 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.”
“In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.”
Reflection
cf. CCC 350: Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve his saving plans for other creatures. The Church venerates the angels (especially Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael today!) who help her on her earthly pilgrimage and protect every human being...'The angels work together for the benefit of us all' —St. Thomas Aquinas
Also noteworthy is Augustine's contribution to what we understand about angels: "'Angel," he says, "is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is spirit...thus, Angels: what they are is spirit, what they do is angel. Ángelos from the Greek meaning messenger, they function under the commision of God. With their whole beings, they are servants of God, and as seen throughout Scripture, they are instruments of grace, figures of divine readiness to help. At times they are even hard to distinguish from God himself as they guide and protect us, strike down our enemies, and they even communicate to us what must be done.
Angels both contemplate God but at the same time they perform tremendous service, which means that with all they "do" their attention is still fixed on God and God's purposes...this is even seen in the life of Jesus. In our gospel today, Jesus points to the sight to behold of angels ascending and descending upon him from heaven in his earthly ministry.
Today we celebrate the feast of the Archangels: Michael ("Who is like God?"), Gabriel ("Man of God") and Raphael ("God has healed"). May we implore their intercession and presence in our daily struggles to walk closely with the Lord, and may we heed their example to be instruments completely at the service of God for the salvation of others.
Peace,
Fr. Foley
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