Daily Retreat 09/29/06
2006 Sep 29 Fri: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, archangels F
Dn 7: 9-10. 13-14 or Rv 12: 7-12a/ Ps 137(138): 1-2ab. 2cde-3. 4-5/ Jn 1: 47-51
From today’s readings: “War broke out in Heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.... In the sight of the angels I will sing Your praises, Lord.... Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see Heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
St. Gabriel
Today we honor the three archangels mentioned by name in scripture: Michael (his name is found in the books of Daniel, Jude, and Apocalypse), Gabriel (Daniel and Luke), and Raphael (Tobit).
This year, let’s focus a bit more on St. Gabriel, the Archangel of the Annunciation, whose name means “Warrior of God” or “God is Mighty.” The following links are recommended:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06330a.htm
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/Gabriel.htm
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=279
Because the scriptural verses about the archangels are relatively few, the tendency in art and popular devotion has been to further identify them with other unnamed angels in the Bible. So, for instance, in addition to his mission at the Annunciation (which established him as the patron saint of telecommunications), many have speculated that Gabriel was also the same angel that appeared in dreams to Joseph (cf. Matthew 1:20,2:13, 2:19), and heralded to the Bethlehem shepherds the Christmas tidings of great joy (Luke 2:9ff), and perhaps also the angel sent to comfort Christ Himself during the Agony in the Garden (Luke 22:43), and that Gabriel will be the one to sound the trumpet at the Second Coming of Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:52).
In any case, we all have a share in the greatest message delivered by the archangel, for the first line of the “Hail Mary” is an echo of Gabriel’s greeting to Mary (cf. Luke 1:28), and so, in praying that familiar prayer, we can be inspired by the immeasurable joy which marked that moment when the Word became flesh, and our Savior was conceived.
Dn 7: 9-10. 13-14 or Rv 12: 7-12a/ Ps 137(138): 1-2ab. 2cde-3. 4-5/ Jn 1: 47-51
From today’s readings: “War broke out in Heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.... In the sight of the angels I will sing Your praises, Lord.... Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see Heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
St. Gabriel
Today we honor the three archangels mentioned by name in scripture: Michael (his name is found in the books of Daniel, Jude, and Apocalypse), Gabriel (Daniel and Luke), and Raphael (Tobit).
This year, let’s focus a bit more on St. Gabriel, the Archangel of the Annunciation, whose name means “Warrior of God” or “God is Mighty.” The following links are recommended:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06330a.htm
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/Gabriel.htm
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=279
Because the scriptural verses about the archangels are relatively few, the tendency in art and popular devotion has been to further identify them with other unnamed angels in the Bible. So, for instance, in addition to his mission at the Annunciation (which established him as the patron saint of telecommunications), many have speculated that Gabriel was also the same angel that appeared in dreams to Joseph (cf. Matthew 1:20,2:13, 2:19), and heralded to the Bethlehem shepherds the Christmas tidings of great joy (Luke 2:9ff), and perhaps also the angel sent to comfort Christ Himself during the Agony in the Garden (Luke 22:43), and that Gabriel will be the one to sound the trumpet at the Second Coming of Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:52).
In any case, we all have a share in the greatest message delivered by the archangel, for the first line of the “Hail Mary” is an echo of Gabriel’s greeting to Mary (cf. Luke 1:28), and so, in praying that familiar prayer, we can be inspired by the immeasurable joy which marked that moment when the Word became flesh, and our Savior was conceived.
posted by FrPitstick | 9/25/2006
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