Thoughts for the Day

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The Feast of Michael and All Angels is also known as Michaelmas and falls on the 29th September each year. Angels are God's messengers and we celebrate the work of Michael who defeated Satan and his evil angels. The festival goes back to the early 3rd century CE and there are many traditions and customs celebrated on this day, particularly concerning feasting. Although it's a fun festival (Satan was supposed to have landed in a blackberry bush, so some people finish off the last of the blackberries!), it has a serious side to it.

Angels are non physical beings, that serve God by actively doing His will, encouraging believers, and fighting spiritual battles on our behalf. They also eternally worship God. In our reading today Jesus uses the image of Jacob's dream when he sees angels ascending and descending to heaven, to tell Nathaniel what he will see in the future (Genesis 28.10-17). In our rational world we are allowed to believe in angels and archangels, and today in particular we remember that they are real beings involved in protecting us (Hebrews 1.14) and (Psalm 91.9-13). They also help us fight the spiritual warfare in which we are involved every day of our life. Following the christian way is difficult and we can find ourselves frequently tempted to go our own way. Our bible teaches us that the Father sends His angels to protect us.

Lord God,
we thank You for Your servants,
for Michael and all the Angels;
for their perpetual service to You;
for their wisdom and strength
in helping many over the centuries;
and for their continual worship of You.
Amen.