Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
Feast Day
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
We know that God loves us, that he protects us and guides us to our destiny. In the Bible, angels are presented as God’s messengers to people, to help us 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.
First Reading
or Revelation 12:7-12ab
I looked and saw the following: Some thrones were in place, and One of Great Age took his seat: His robe was as white as snow, and his hair was as white as washed wool. His throne was made of flames of fire with wheels of blazing fire.
A river of fire sprang forth and flowed before him. Thousands upon thousands served him, and a countless multitude stood before him. Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book.
I kept watching the night vision: One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into his presence.
Dominion, honor, and kingship were granted to him, and all peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and will never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm
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.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, 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?”
Jesus answered:
“Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree, and I saw you.”
Nathanael responded:
“Master, you are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel!”
Jesus answered:
“You believe because I said, ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ But you will see greater things than that.”
And he said to him:
“Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Prayers of the Faithful
– 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.
REFLECTIONS
John 1:47-51
Under an open heaven
John presents Nathanael moving from scepticism to faith. He had questioned whether any good could come from Nazareth. William Barclay interprets Nathanael as a sincere seeker whose heart has been cleansed of pride and prejudice. His surrender begins when he realises that Jesus already knows him. The fig tree, often associated with study and prayer, joins Nathanael’s longing to Christ’s gaze.
Jesus promises something greater: heaven opened and angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. The image recalls Jacob’s dream at Bethel, where a ladder connected earth and heaven. Barclay explains that Jesus himself is that connection. Through him, God comes to humanity, and humanity gains access to God. Heaven is no longer distant or closed; in Christ, God and humanity meet.
This makes the passage fitting for the feast of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Pope Francis teaches that Jesus stands at the centre of heavenly glory and that the archangels cooperate in God’s saving plan. They contemplate and serve God, but they are also sent to accompany humanity on its journey.
Their names reveal dimensions of this mission. Michael defends God’s people against evil and reminds us that victory belongs to God. Gabriel announces the good news of salvation and keeps the Gospel alive amid discouraging or empty messages. Raphael takes us by the hand, accompanies our journey, and guides us away from wrong paths.
The opened heaven is therefore not an escape from earthly responsibility. Angels and human beings share a vocation: cooperating with God’s plan of salvation. Like Nathanael, we are invited to abandon prejudice and confess Jesus with our lives. Like the archangels, we must contemplate God and then serve: resisting evil, announcing hope, healing wounds, and accompanying others. Christ is the living bridge; under his open heaven, no faithful struggle is unseen and no pilgrim walks alone.