St. Francis, Pope Leo XIII and my Grandfather all hold something in common. It fascinates me to consider this, and I see it as invitation for not only me but all of us. What do they hold in common? The love of this Feast of St. Michael and the Archangels (September 29). We know St. Francis honored this feast by leading into it with a fast, Pope Leo wrote the commonly used Prayer to St. Michael and my Grandfather whose birthday is today always marked this day and carried with him St. Michael as a protector.
All three of these wise men remind us of something important about this feast of St. Michael and the Archangels. They remind us of how the angels are our companions and how they always, always point us to God. This feast isn’t about the angles and their glory, it is about how they point to God, praise God and lead us into the love of God.
Like St. Francis, Pope Leo XII and my Grandfather, the disciple Nathanael we encounter in the gospel for today (John 1.47-51) was amazed by God’s awesomeness manifested in Jesus, the Son of God. It is from this place of awe, that they and each of us can declare, “In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord” (Psalm 138). We never know where we encounter God’s messengers and how they protect us and guide us, but we are invited to trust they do so. Another glimpse of the grace of God.
The Archangels know the power of our Triune God and how the love of God conquers evil. This feast day is an opportunity for us to rejoice in the greatness of God, the dwelling of Christ among us and the working of the Holy Spirit. Like the St. Francis, Pope Leo XII and my Grandfather may we be renewed in each Eucharist for the work which is ours to do in the kingdom of our God here and now.
Photo Credit: Manuel Sandoval
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