Friday,
September 29, 2006
25th Week in Ordinary Time Michael,
Raphael & Gabriel, Archangels
Dn
7:9-10, 13-14 (or Rev 12:7-12); Psalm 138:1-2,2-3,4-5; John
1:47-51
Daily
Gospel
Introduction
We
know that God loves us, that he protects us and guides us to our destiny.
In the Bible, angels are presented God's messengers to people, to help
us to carry out God's plans. The archangel Michael is mentioned in the
last book of the Bible as the angel who leads the fight against the
power of evil and who wants God's work and Christ to overcome all evil.
Gabriel is the messenger of the Annunciation; Raphael is the angel companion
and healer in the Book of Tobias.
Angels, then, are the sign of God's guiding love and concern for us.
We may not forget today also the many people who help and guide us in
many ways by their love and care. They too, are, so to speak, God's
angels to us.
Opening
Prayer
Lord
our God, you are our providence.
We are sure that you want to guide us to you,
that you want to save us,
that you love each of us personally, as we are,
and that you do everything you can do
to make yourself known to us.
Whatever way you come to us
and whoever your messengers are,
may we recognize you and accept you
and love you in them.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
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.
Rev
12:7-12
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: Psalm
138:1-2,2-3,4-5
R.
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.
Introduction
to Gospel Reading
Gospel
Reading: John
1:47-51
When
Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said of him, "Here comes an Israelite,
a true one; there is nothing false in him." Nathanael asked him,
"How do you know me?" And Jesus said to him, "Before
Philip called you, you were under the fig tree and I saw you."
Nathanael answered, "Master, you are the Son of God! You are the
King of Israel!" But Jesus replied, "You believe because I
said: 'I saw you under the fig tree.' But you will see greater things
than that.
Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels
of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
Commentary
War
in heaven: those who honor God and are obedient to God's Word triumph;
while Satan, anyone and anything that hinders the Word of God and
deceives the children of God is hurled down to earth. This is an epic
story of good and evil and victory belongs to those who do good, who
live and die without violence on earth, who are witnesses to the truth
by martyrdom. It is given to those who love life, yet lay it down
if necessary. They do not take lives just to proclaim their belief.
War in heaven is different from war on earth and though there are
those driven out, nobody dies in the name of religion or God. We are
not alone in our struggle: creatures of light serve with us, they
honor God and will be a part of the judgment upon the earth, as they
were once judged. They serve the Son of Man-do we?
General
Intercessions
- Lord, when your
Church is persecuted, send it leaders who speak out in your name to
encourage the fainthearted, we pray:
- Lord, when people are confused, send them messengers who enlighten
them in your name, we pray:
- Lord, when people are in danger on their journey through life, send
them angels to protect them, we pray
Prayer
over the Gifts
God our Father,
you have sent here among us
your greatest messenger of your good news
and of your own life,
your Son Jesus Christ.
Accept in this offering our thanks
for all your angels and messengers
you send us to heal us from our illnesses
of body, mind and spirit
and who speak to us
words of love, hope and peace.
Thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer
after Communion
God our Father,
on account of Jesus Christ your Son
give us enough trust in you
to rely on you in all the events of life.
Make us welcome your angels and messengers ,
in sickness, in our weakness,
in our groping and hesitations.
Make us, in turn, to our brothers and sisters
helpers and messengers of your goodness and love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
We are certain
that God protects and guides us through angels and good people who help
us. May you rely on him and may God bless you, the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.