Thoughts for the Day

And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,

‘Now has come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Messiah,
for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down,
who accuses them day and night before our God.
But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
 Rejoice then, you heavens
and those who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
for the devil has come down to you
with great wrath,
because he knows that his time is short!’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

'Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are the three named biblical angels shown as the beloved messengers of God. Michael, which means 'who is like God?', is described as the protector of Israel and the leader of the armies of God and is perhaps best known as the slayer of the dragon in the Revelation to John (see reading above). He is thus regarded as the protector of Christians from the devil, particularly those at the hour of death.

Gabriel, which means 'the strength of God', is the one according to the Gospel of Luke, who is sent by God to Mary to announce the birth of Christ. Raphael, which means 'the healing of God', is shown in the book of Tobit as the one who restores sight to Tobit's eyes.

A basilica near Rome was dedicated in the 5th century in honour of Michael on 30th September, beginning with celebrations on the eve of that day, and 29th September is now kept in honour of Michael and all Angels throughout the western Church.'
(From 'Exciting Holiness, Collects and Readings for Festivals')

For those struggling to believe in angels and demons, perhaps we can say this. If we believe in total love, as in God, then surely we must be believe in the opposite. Certainly we see real evil in our world, and there is comfort in the thought that God has dedicated one of His messengers to help us fight this in our own life and in the life of others, through our prayers and our actions.

Collect for Michael and all Angels

Everlasting God,
you have ordained and constituted the ministries
of angels and mortals in a wonderful order;
grant that as your holy angels
always serve you in heaven,
so, at your command,
they may help and defend us on earth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.