Tag: Saint Gabriel

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 1:47-51)

Jesus answered and said to Nathanael, “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.”

Jesus meets Nathanael and acknowledges his sincere character. “Here is a true child of Israel,” Jesus says. “There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael is surprised by Jesus’ insight about him and recognizes Him as the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus assures Nathanael that he will see even greater things through the Son of Man—the angels of God ascending and descending on him. Nathanael is at first impressed with what Jesus is able to see about him. “How do you know me?” he asks Jesus. What Nathanael is able to recognize about Jesus’ divinity is strictly limited to earthly knowledge. Jesus invites Nathanael to see with the eyes of faith, to see as the prophet Daniel sees: “[God’s] dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.”

Father in heaven, you see me as I am and not as I see myself or others. Yet, it is not your will that we are limited to seeing only appearances and physical reality. Help me see as Jesus desired Nathanael to see—beyond outward appearances and into the mystery of your divine presence that suffuses every ordinary moment of the day and that the angels witness unceasingly. That requires faith, the kind of faith Nathanael had when he exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Lord, grant me the grace of quiet, unshaken faith in your dominion, your glory, and your kingship. I believe; help my unbelief!

From the responsorial psalm: “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.” Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, guide and defend us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

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.”

Jesus is able to say to Nathanael, “You will see greater things than this” because Jesus sees through the eyes of his divinity. In this Gospel reading from John, Jesus’ encounter with Nathanael comes after he chooses the first disciples. There is a giddiness in Jesus’ response to Nathanael, as if he can’t wait to show Nathanael where he comes from and who he is.

God, you sent your Son, who always accomplished your will perfectly and showed us the way to you. “You will see greater things than this,” Jesus tells us. Help me to see him today in the so-called ordinary events of the day; help me to see your divine work with the eyes that Jesus sees heaven opened. Today, on the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, help me understand that the greater things that you work through the world are visible but also invisible and no less real, such as the work of his angels. Michael means “who is like God,” Gabriel means “hero of God,” and Raphael means “God has healed.”

Jesus, let me trust in your care of me today. When will I be able to see as you see “the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man”? It is more than I can imagine and enough that you stay with me today, keeping me sure-footed as you guide me throughout the day. Saint Michael, defend me in battle; Saint Gabriel, champion my faith; Saint Raphael, heal my soul!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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