Michael, Gabriel and Raphael
As Carolyn has informed us, or is about to inform us, today is the feast of
Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael; the popular name of the feast is
Michaelmas. Hence Michaelmas Daisies, which flower at this time of year -
or so I assume; actually I scarcely know a daisy from a Dahlia.
Punters might appreciate an extract from a homily by Gregory the Great on
these saints:
"Angels are known by proper names as well, to indicate their powers and
their work. In that holy city where perfect knowledge is derived from the
vision of Almighty God, if proper names are assigned to them, it is not that
their persons could not be identified without names. But when angels come
to minister to us, even the names by which we know them are taken from their
ministry - Michael means 'Who is like God', Gabriel 'Strength of God',
Raphael 'Healing of God.'
"Whenever a mighty deed is in question, Michael is assigned, so that by his
actions and name it may be made known that no one can do what God can do.
So in the case of our ancient enemy, who in his pride wanted to be like God
when he said: 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set
my throne on high; I will make myself like the Most High': when he is
shown to be condemned to eternal punishment at the end of the world, he is
described as about to do battle with Michael, as Saint John says: 'War
broke out with Michael the archangel.'
"Gabriel was sent to Mary, for Gabriel means 'Strength of God'. He came to
announce him who deigned to be lowly so as to wage war on the spiritual
powers of the air. He who came as God of power and as one strong in battle
was to be announced by Gabriel, the strength of God.
"Finally Raphael is interpreted, as we have said, as 'Healing of God', since
he wiped away the shadows of blindness from Tobias when he touched his eyes
to cure him. The one who is sent to cure, was indeed worthy of the name
'Healing of God'."
(From Homily 34)
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