tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29331784142919346362024-02-18T18:23:41.077-08:00Archangel NewsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933178414291934636.post-81589537952764830712011-07-17T23:31:00.000-07:002011-07-17T23:31:08.923-07:00St. Barachiel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94szXfM16ZI-Uke67cesCZcaZjKhmKp9KfPUtaRxN10F_F2GpZK9SCghhOAEY5-IrDl4NSm9jIAmCNotX70fIPmhbQ7xvq6JgedjAU-Elq7xYzL6OtPnjGvHziNI1OK7_3OuWfliGwyo/s1600/3643903578_bf91ec1725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94szXfM16ZI-Uke67cesCZcaZjKhmKp9KfPUtaRxN10F_F2GpZK9SCghhOAEY5-IrDl4NSm9jIAmCNotX70fIPmhbQ7xvq6JgedjAU-Elq7xYzL6OtPnjGvHziNI1OK7_3OuWfliGwyo/s320/3643903578_bf91ec1725.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">Patron of the Sacrament of Matrimony. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Barachiel carries an abundant basket of bread, the staff of life, symbolizing Christian parenthood and it's grave responsibilities both spiritual & temporal, to produce and provide for, the children God desires of married couples. He is a powerful intercessor for the barren as well as for troubled marriages. He carries in his hand a book, a reminder of the wealth of instructions in the Holy Scripture, the writings of the saints and Papal encyclicals for husbands, wives and children concerning marriage and family life.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5qI4BtSYW04KsJSP1RC-xdx4V6WcJNcrNsuoWlUNPli78hJOTc9YqEMC14QBruPcDswEeTmsWGPDr0CXFfFnl64UHs-HNZOwuI-YWS4SH4Bw3bM9Pvvv-NSkBnqTt9kFyGrr7MJn9Fs/s1600/angel01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5qI4BtSYW04KsJSP1RC-xdx4V6WcJNcrNsuoWlUNPli78hJOTc9YqEMC14QBruPcDswEeTmsWGPDr0CXFfFnl64UHs-HNZOwuI-YWS4SH4Bw3bM9Pvvv-NSkBnqTt9kFyGrr7MJn9Fs/s1600/angel01.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Reflections</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">1) Do I realize that to be Christlike means to follow God's commandments?</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">2) How do I grow in the qualities of Christ called virtues?</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">3) Do I pray to my Guardian Angel?</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">4) Does his presence remind me of God's protection and care?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Novena to the Archangel<br />
</b></span><br />
O Powerful Archangel, St. Barachiel, filled with heaven's glory and splendor, you are rightly called God's benediction. We are God's children placed under your protection and care. Listen to our supplications __________ grant that through your loving intercession, we may reach our Heavenly Home one day. <br />
<br />
Sustain us and protect us from all harm that we may posses for all eternity the peace and happiness that Jesus has prepared for us in heaven. <br />
<br />
Present to God the Father all these petitions through Jesus Christ our Lord together with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933178414291934636.post-60629081126546411982011-07-05T15:34:00.001-07:002011-07-05T15:34:28.098-07:00St. Jhudiel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCEGmM0soD0IgsN8saVUo_093-UqlNofjZjm_q5cF-gN1XUa39zTC5bmK9d7_jEV0yCMUhRoB7-Zet8IbOyK6Dyt9S4hTD6l39OI9FKagasN-R6Zs9-hbi5nFXdzXOIY5Z81wsaPFILo/s1600/3028934083_24b1d49445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCEGmM0soD0IgsN8saVUo_093-UqlNofjZjm_q5cF-gN1XUa39zTC5bmK9d7_jEV0yCMUhRoB7-Zet8IbOyK6Dyt9S4hTD6l39OI9FKagasN-R6Zs9-hbi5nFXdzXOIY5Z81wsaPFILo/s320/3028934083_24b1d49445.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: red;"><b>Saint Jegudiel the Archangel</b> also <b>Jhudiel</b> or <b>Jehudiel</b> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_language" title="Hebrew language">Heb.</a> <span style="font-family: SBL Hebrew, Ezra SIL SR, Ezra SIL, Cardo, Chrysanthi Unicode, TITUS Cyberbit Basic, Arial Unicode MS, Narkisim, Times New Roman;"><big><b>יהודיאל</b></big></span> <i>Yehudiel</i> "laudation of God") is one of the seven <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archangel" title="Archangel">Archangels</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Church" title="Eastern Orthodox Church">Eastern Orthodox</a> tradition.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jegudiel#cite_note-0"><span></span><span></span></a></sup> He is often depicted in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon" title="Icon">iconography</a> holding a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_%28headgear%29" title="Crown (headgear)">crown</a> and a three-thonged <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whip" title="Whip">whip</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jegudiel#cite_note-1"><span></span></a></sup> Jeguidiel is the patron of all who work in some field of endeavor, and the crown he holds symbolizes the reward for successful spiritual labors. Along with his subordinate <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel" title="Angel">angels</a> he is the advisor and defender of all who work in positions of responsibility to the glory of God, and as such is resorted to by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch" title="Monarch">kings</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge" title="Judge">judges</a>, and others in positions of leadership.</div><br />
<div style="color: orange;">Jegudiel is also known as the bearer of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God" title="God">God</a>'s merciful love and also angel over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday" title="Friday">Friday</a>. Considered as one of the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_archangels" title="Seven archangels">seven archangels</a> in a variant <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic" title="Roman Catholic">Catholic</a> system, which pairs each archangel with a specific day of the week and attribute. St Jehudiel is usually depicted with a flaming heart or the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart" title="Sacred Heart">Sacred Heart</a> in hand.</div><div style="color: orange;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vTCMDYSpUPPgKFvhVQ5HRfMY9t8MixzwyVq7Ra5fBUUrxZR53zFD8UX694oGfpB0jl5O9b2Fseltjfs0vO0B-8BJqY5cQWiH5WFWHsT4yaClSsNx1NHug0OpSqeaK7s9G0Y9vjew-9I/s1600/Archangel+JegudielFlyer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vTCMDYSpUPPgKFvhVQ5HRfMY9t8MixzwyVq7Ra5fBUUrxZR53zFD8UX694oGfpB0jl5O9b2Fseltjfs0vO0B-8BJqY5cQWiH5WFWHsT4yaClSsNx1NHug0OpSqeaK7s9G0Y9vjew-9I/s320/Archangel+JegudielFlyer.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div style="color: orange;"><br />
</div><div style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Reflections</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">1) How do I show mercy to others?</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">2) Do I easily forgive those who have sinned against me?</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">3) Do I extend a helping hand to those who are in need of my help without expecting any reward in return?</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">4) Do I share God's blessings to my less fortunate brothers and sisters?</span><br />
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Novena to the Archangels</span></b><br />
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O Merciful Archangel, St. Jhudiel dispenser of God's eternal and abundant mercy. Because of our sinfulness, we do not deserve God's forgiveness. Yet, He continually grants us forbearance freely and lovingly. Help us in our determination to overcome our sinful habits and be truly sorry for them. Bring each one of us to true conversion of heart, that we may experience the joy of reconciliation which it brings, without which neither we as individuals, nor the whole world can know true peace. You who continually intercedes for us, listen to our prayers _________ and present to God the Father all these petitions through Jesus Christ our Lord together with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. <br />
Amen. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933178414291934636.post-15631873776096981122011-06-26T19:29:00.001-07:002011-06-26T19:29:37.758-07:00St. Sealtiel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUstFbZPoay0GxyrnPsQuEYRJ0rDpiHy57CYgvmuv_OaWhJjcepmVoxpijVnp99QaI_ndh7iWjBT1Fdg3CzRvu7vc0fDIMsiFzQ1Yp-VSXNXxTIS3PXE0WFgzRybqK0tBi2ub1j4II3A/s1600/altar_angel2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUstFbZPoay0GxyrnPsQuEYRJ0rDpiHy57CYgvmuv_OaWhJjcepmVoxpijVnp99QaI_ndh7iWjBT1Fdg3CzRvu7vc0fDIMsiFzQ1Yp-VSXNXxTIS3PXE0WFgzRybqK0tBi2ub1j4II3A/s1600/altar_angel2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: red;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">St. Sealtiel's name means "Prayer of God" </span></div><br />
<div style="color: orange; font-weight: bold;">Patron of the Sacrament of Holy Orders</div><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">St Sealtiel carries an incenser, symbol of the prayers & offering of the Divine Sacifice of the Mass, only through the actions of the ordained.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">"And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel." Apoc 8:3-4</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjierfHtwK1LelWhgvPl1KENLy5JK424nPDBGspwgRfx8tnSpFgJiuEdQyWyiYDD1iSysORp6U0YuofsrYekWWyEC_NX7y7VBYezZEKqymz8V0NK-gEYEqLaf7qxW2dFv2yJt7rMy3gWpA/s1600/3028933593_6996ab1e8b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjierfHtwK1LelWhgvPl1KENLy5JK424nPDBGspwgRfx8tnSpFgJiuEdQyWyiYDD1iSysORp6U0YuofsrYekWWyEC_NX7y7VBYezZEKqymz8V0NK-gEYEqLaf7qxW2dFv2yJt7rMy3gWpA/s320/3028933593_6996ab1e8b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reflections</span><br />
<br style="color: red;" /> </span><span style="color: red;">1) Do I take time to pray and reflect during some moments of the day?</span><br style="color: red;" /> <span style="color: red;">2) Do I praise and thank God for every blessing in my life?</span><br style="color: red;" /> <span style="color: red;">3) Do I pray with filial trust and confidence in God?</span><br style="color: red;" /> <span style="color: red;">4) Do I make my life prayer of praise and thanksgiving?</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Novena to the Archangels</span><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">O Pure and Holy Archangel St. Sealtiel, you bow before the Almighty Lord offering angelic salutations of praise and thanksgiving. Guide us in our prayer. Like you, we would like to unceasingly pray and worship God the right way. May our lives be like incense pleasing to God. While awaiting for the inevitable time of separation frmo this material world, may we praise the Holy Trinity in the spirit of true love and humility throughout the days of our life in eternity. Obtain for us these favors _________ and present to God the Father all these petitions through Jesus Christ our Lord together with the Holy Spirit forever and ever.</span><br style="color: #6aa84f;" /> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Amen.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prayer for Priests:</span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Oh holy St. Sealtiel come to my aid with your legion of angels! Intercede to our Almighty and merciful God! Graciously attend to to my humble prayers; and make me, whom God has appointed to dispense the heavenly Mysteries through no merits of my own, but only through the infinite bounty of His Mercy, a worthy minister at His sacred altar; that what is set forth by my voice may be confirmed by His Holy Grace. Pray for me that our good Jesus may grant me the grace to be a priest after His own Sacred Heart! Amen</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933178414291934636.post-82530702943381471142011-06-21T18:17:00.000-07:002011-06-21T18:18:24.067-07:00St. Uriel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQEIvlyM2jqrA7L6NdkFaxw2GSYPWQGhLnKj-plSL0V1iVpJELUg1avcKQ2Y6Th5zr14eF1g7JWH3xsfWJzR9u9QehAv2jIH6GYDA4UECtmWUhF6pFl6yunUW7zUhykVfJtcesidFBbY/s1600/Angels_Archangels_Uriel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQEIvlyM2jqrA7L6NdkFaxw2GSYPWQGhLnKj-plSL0V1iVpJELUg1avcKQ2Y6Th5zr14eF1g7JWH3xsfWJzR9u9QehAv2jIH6GYDA4UECtmWUhF6pFl6yunUW7zUhykVfJtcesidFBbY/s1600/Angels_Archangels_Uriel.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2933178414291934636&postID=8253070294338147114&from=pencil" name="top">Uriel</a></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">, </span> <span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Gabriel</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">, </span> <span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Michael</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> and</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> Raphael </span> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">are <br />
the four archangels mentioned most often in <br />
Hebrew, Kabbalistic, Islamic, and Christian <br />
traditions. The name Uriel literally means <br />
"Fire of God," "Flame of God," "Light of God," <br />
or even "Sun of God." </span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="color: orange; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: red; font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b>Some accounts place the Archangel Uriel at the head of the third order or company of angels. Others identify Uriel as one of the Seven Spirits before the Throne. Kabbalists assign Uriel to the middle pillar of the Tree of Life, and specifically to the sephirah <i>Malkuth</i>, the Kingdom. Malkuth is often associated with the Shekinah, the Glory of God and the divine presence in the world. Malkuth represents the lowest point of descent of the divine force, from which it ascends again to complete the cycle of manifestation and <i>pralaya</i>. The penetration of divine force to the physical plane is of particular interest, at this time, because of the increasing intensity of seventh-ray energy in the world and growing emphasis on healing work.</b></span></b></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b> </span></b></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Archangel Uriel has been called "the Lord of powerful action" [Helena Roerich. <i>Heart</i>. Agni Yoga Society, 1932, 268]. Uriel personifies the Divine Fire that comes down from the Third Aspect of Deity--Universal Mind--penetrating each plane until It reaches the physical. There, the Fire ignites the fusion in the center of the Sun, the fission at the center of the Earth, and the kundalini at the base of the spine. It creates worlds, universes, and life--which then await the quickening impulse of the Second Aspect to evolve and grow.</b></span></b></div><blockquote style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The <i>Book of Enoch</i> describes Uriel as "one of the holy angels, who is over the world... the leader of them all." Later we read in the same book: "Uriel showed to me, whom the Lord of glory hath set for ever over all the luminaries of the heaven... the sun, moon, and stars, all the ministering creatures which make their revolution in all the chariots of the heaven." </b></span></blockquote><br />
<blockquote style="color: red; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In <i>Paradise Lost</i>, John Milton mentions "Th' Arch-Angel URIEL, one of the seav'n, Who in Gods presence, neerest to his Throne... Regent of the Sun." In his oratorio, <i>The Creation</i>, composed in 1797, Franz Joseph Haydn has Uriel announce the words from Genesis: "And God saw the light, that it was good... And God said, Let there be light in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day from the night, and to give light upon the earth... He made the stars also."</b></span></blockquote><br />
<blockquote style="color: orange; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Colin Wilson describes encounters between Uriel and the 16th century scholar, Dr. John Dee. Dee's scrying assistant, Edward Kelley, saw a cherub in a crystal ball. Dee identified the cherub from his Kabbalistic knowledge as "Uriel, the angel of light." Later, in 1582, Dee had a vision of a child angel floating outside the window, holding a crystal egg. Again he identified this with Uriel. Wilson claims that the crystal egg is preserved in the British Museum. [Colin Wilson<i>. The Occult: A History</i>. Random House, 1971, pp. 273-4]. Whether Uriel appears as a child, a powerful man, or a woman of regal bearing, the archangel continues to command the imagination, reverence, and devotion of people around the world.</b></span></blockquote><br />
<blockquote style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Uriel is often referred to as the Great Archangel of the Earth. One contemporary account describes the archangel thus: "He (or she) is the keeper of the mysteries which are deep within the planet, underground and in the hidden depths of the living world." </b></span></blockquote><blockquote style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The feast day of the Archangel Uriel is celebrated July 28. Uriel's influence is believed to peak during the summer months. According to Corinne Heline: "The beautiful Uriel stands guardian over the activities of the summer. The ripening of grain and the floodtide of blossom are under his guidance. He also supervises the Nature Spirits, those fascinating little sprites who inhabit the elements of earth, air, fire and water, and who lend so much to the beautification of all nature. The highest initiatory teachings belonging to the New Age... are under the direction of Uriel." </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Corinne Heline. <i>The Blessed Virgin Mary</i>. New Age Press, 1971, p. 110.]</span></b></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx_EpzeFCmkM9ggRLsABhsNPR3M924PlM241WlzgbM15TsItTlX6cLFrmgLYWSkocLipXb31FGKxXBeDmCWk66_PSwjlse-wyPBPxA0bng08JLmfFzovz-x_mmvVK3ZNEFZLrpn0yxG8/s1600/index.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx_EpzeFCmkM9ggRLsABhsNPR3M924PlM241WlzgbM15TsItTlX6cLFrmgLYWSkocLipXb31FGKxXBeDmCWk66_PSwjlse-wyPBPxA0bng08JLmfFzovz-x_mmvVK3ZNEFZLrpn0yxG8/s320/index.1.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><h2 align="center" style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></h2><h2 align="center" style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Reflections</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">1) Do I love God above all persons and things?<br />
2) How do I deal with God's commandments?<br />
3) Do I treat others justly?<br />
4) Do I help those who are victims of injustices?</span> </b></span></h2><h2 align="center" style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></h2><h2 align="center" style="color: #93c47d; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Invocation to the Archangel Uriel</b></span></h2><div align="CENTER" style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style;"><b><i>Glory to God and his deeds,<br />
for everything is good and wonderful.<br />
Holy Archangel Uriel,<br />
protect and look after rivers,<br />
their waters we drink,<br />
life springs up from them;<br />
make grass sprout for cattle, <br />
make man yield bread out of the land,<br />
wine to enliven his heart,<br />
oil and food to give him force.</i></b></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="color: red;"><br />
</div><span style="color: red;"> </span> <b style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style;">[</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">This beautiful invocation was translated from the original Spanish by Pedro Pablo Parrado of Bogota, Colombia--to whom we are also indebted for letting us know about three of the pictures shown below.]</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933178414291934636.post-13797658328283098352011-06-20T01:50:00.001-07:002011-06-20T01:50:22.384-07:00St. Raphael<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3tnYZqSMDKX476M0k6kapV_5W3Kr1PouK3aiMngUxmvDOw81wQeeY97qlH_Zg3pq-_YQsSAlIqbfPgGfdY0qRv6hfdI6EMO5tcAFLr3-37lP32w0IayF26KB3DcZmg8se4slad1zgl8/s1600/St.+Raphael.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3tnYZqSMDKX476M0k6kapV_5W3Kr1PouK3aiMngUxmvDOw81wQeeY97qlH_Zg3pq-_YQsSAlIqbfPgGfdY0qRv6hfdI6EMO5tcAFLr3-37lP32w0IayF26KB3DcZmg8se4slad1zgl8/s320/St.+Raphael.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="color: red;">The name of this archangel (<em>Raphael</em> = "<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05393a.htm">God</a> has healed") does not appear in the Hebrew Scriptures, and in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13722a.htm">Septuagint</a> only in the Book of Tobias. Here he first appears disguised in human form as the travelling companion of the younger Tobias, calling himself "Azarias the son of the great Ananias". The story of the adventurous journey during which the protective influence of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> is shown in many ways including the binding "in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04749a.htm">desert</a> of upper <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05329b.htm">Egypt</a>" of the demon who had previously slain seven husbands of Sara, daughter of Raguel, is picturesquely related in Tobit 5-11, to which the reader is referred. After the return and the healing of the blindness of the elder Tobias, Azarias makes himself known as "the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" (<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/tob012.htm#vrs15">Tobit 12:15</a>. Cf. <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/rev008.htm#vrs2">Revelation 8:2</a>). Of these seven "archangels" which appear in the angelology of post-Exilic <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08537a.htm">Judaism</a>, only three, Gabriel, Michael and Raphael, are mentioned in the canonical Scriptures. The others, according to the Book of Enoch (cf. xxi) are Uriel, Raguel, Sariel, and Jerahmeel, while from other <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01601a.htm">apocryphal</a> sources we get the variant names Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel instead of the last three in the other list. </div><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Regarding the functions attributed to Raphael we have little more than his declaration to Tobias (Tobit 12) that when the latter was occupied in his works of mercy and charity, he (Raphael) offered his </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12345b.htm" style="color: orange;">prayer</a><span style="color: orange;"> to the Lord, that he was sent by the Lord to heal him of his blindness and to deliver Sara, his son's wife, from the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm" style="color: orange;">devil</a><span style="color: orange;">. The Jewish category of the archangels is recognized in the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14530a.htm" style="color: orange;">New Testament</a><span style="color: orange;"> (</span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/1th004.htm#vrs15" style="color: orange;">1 Thessalonians 4:15</a><span style="color: orange;">; </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/jud001.htm#vrs9" style="color: orange;">Jude 9</a><span style="color: orange;">), but only Gabriel and Michael are mentioned by name. Many commentators, however, identify Raphael with the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm" style="color: orange;">"angel of the Lord"</a><span style="color: orange;"> mentioned in </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/joh005.htm" style="color: orange;">John 5</a><span style="color: orange;">. This conjecture is base both on the significance of the name and on the healing role attributed to Raphael in the Book of Tobias. The </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm" style="color: orange;">Church</a><span style="color: orange;"> assigns the feast of St. Raphael to 24 October. The </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07595a.htm" style="color: orange;">hymns</a><span style="color: orange;"> of the Office recall the healing power of the archangel and his victory over the demon. The lessons of the first </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11087b.htm" style="color: orange;">Nocturn</a><span style="color: orange;"> and the Antiphons of the entire Office are taken from the Book of Tobias, and the lessons of the second and third </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11087b.htm" style="color: orange;">Nocturns</a><span style="color: orange;"> from the works of St. Augustine, viz. for the second </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11087b.htm" style="color: orange;">Nocturn</a><span style="color: orange;"> a sermon on Tobias (sermon I on the fifteenth Sunday), and for the third, a </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07448a.htm" style="color: orange;">homily</a><span style="color: orange;"> on the opening verse of </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/joh005.htm" style="color: orange;">John 5</a><span style="color: orange;">. The Epistle of the Mass is taken from the twelfth chapter of Tobias, and the Gospel from </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/joh005.htm#vrs1" style="color: orange;">John 5:1-4</a><span style="color: orange;">, referring to the pool called Probatica, where the multitude of the infirm lay awaiting the moving of the water, for "an </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm" style="color: orange;">angel of the Lord</a><span style="color: orange;"> descended at certain times into the pond; and the water was moved.And he that went down first into the pond after the motion of the water was made whole of whatsoever infirmity he lay under". Thus the conjecture of the commentators referred to above is confirmed by the official Liturgy of the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm" style="color: orange;">Church</a><span style="color: orange;">.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8ZXYv2LB14CTd7X0WVZKyTfYSFgre7VsUqMaEJ_-_vTNbv5DqHRPAk1R0kxngcUhNmdMrcuftx25X5gT-tPlT_QyzVaz1dCayp1sE0vNXOahE8zrRKpunQv0p3hzrsl9kvgbPlEWZnY/s1600/7852619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8ZXYv2LB14CTd7X0WVZKyTfYSFgre7VsUqMaEJ_-_vTNbv5DqHRPAk1R0kxngcUhNmdMrcuftx25X5gT-tPlT_QyzVaz1dCayp1sE0vNXOahE8zrRKpunQv0p3hzrsl9kvgbPlEWZnY/s320/7852619.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><span style="color: orange;"> <span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Reflections</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">1) Am I aware that my life here on earth is a pilgrimage to heaven?</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">2) During my journey, do I contemplate the past and prepare myself for tomorrow to meet my God?</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">3) Do I prefer to gain material riches than that of the upliftment of my soul in anticipation of the divine judgment of God?</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">4) Do I pray for others who are at present dying or sick aside from myself?</span><br />
<br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prayer:</span></b><br />
<br />
O Great Archangel, St. Raphael, you have been appointed by God to become our healer and to guide us in our earthly pilgrimage to our home in heaven. We beg you to assist us in all our undertakings and in all the trials and pains of this earthly life. We pray for constant good health both physically, mentally and spiritually. We beseech you to guide always our steps that we shall walk with confidence towards our journey, and enlighten us with our doubts generated by intellectual pride and wordly ambitions. St. Raphael, please present to God the following petitions _________ through Jesus Christ our Lord together with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933178414291934636.post-30291544898384371042011-06-15T17:36:00.001-07:002011-06-15T17:36:38.611-07:00St. Gabriel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8azaaVLhyV32-uH_eNaXrxN7HT6bco3MKmWq4C6L1RHAIAcoYQqVEjlFht_GKp77DPfN7y1VTNzTRWrNDlWPIchniqoNBTU6u_oNE2gOeI7S1ljGeLd3Yv3lyc-bhIwkRDB6Gh-1-Wwc/s1600/archangel-gabriel-322x500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8azaaVLhyV32-uH_eNaXrxN7HT6bco3MKmWq4C6L1RHAIAcoYQqVEjlFht_GKp77DPfN7y1VTNzTRWrNDlWPIchniqoNBTU6u_oNE2gOeI7S1ljGeLd3Yv3lyc-bhIwkRDB6Gh-1-Wwc/s320/archangel-gabriel-322x500.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: red;">"Fortitudo Dei", one of the three archangels mentioned in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible">Bible</a>. </div><br />
<div style="color: orange;">Only four appearances of Gabriel are recorded: In <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/dan008.htm">Daniel 8</a>, he explains the vision of the horned ram as portending the destruction of the Persian Empire by the Macedonian Alexander the Great, after whose death the kingdom will be divided up among his generals, from one of whom will spring Antiochus Epiphanes. In <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/dan009.htm">chapter 9</a>, after <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04620a.htm">Daniel</a> had <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12345b.htm">prayed</a> for <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08193a.htm">Israel</a>, we read that "the man Gabriel . . . . flying swiftly touched me" and he communicated to him the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10662a.htm">mysterious</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12473a.htm">prophecy</a> of the "seventy weeks" of years which should elapse before the coming of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10212c.htm">Christ</a>. In <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/dan010.htm">chapter 10</a>, it is not clear whether the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> is Gabriel or not, but at any rate we may apply to him the marvellous description in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/dan010.htm#vrs5">verses 5 and 6</a>. In the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14530a.htm">New Testament</a> he foretells to Zachary the birth of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08486b.htm">Precursor</a>, and to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15464b.htm">Mary</a> that of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374c.htm">Saviour</a>. </div><div style="color: orange;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;">Thus he is throughout the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07706b.htm">Incarnation</a> and of Consolation, and so in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm">Christian</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15006b.htm">tradition</a> Gabriel is ever the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> of mercy while Michael is rather the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> of judgment. At the same time, even in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible">Bible</a>, Gabriel is, in accordance with his name, the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> of the Power of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a>, and it is worth while noting the frequency with which such words as "great", "might", "power", and "strength" occur in the passages referred to above. The <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08399a.htm">Jews</a> indeed seem to have dwelt particularly upon this feature in Gabriel's <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03584b.htm">character</a>, and he is regarded by them as the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> of judgment, while Michael is called the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> of mercy. Thus they attribute to Gabriel the destruction of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14130a.htm">Sodom</a> and of the host of Sennacherib, though they also regard him as the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> who buried <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10596a.htm">Moses</a>, and as the man deputed to mark the figure Tau on the foreheads of the he <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05374a.htm">elect</a> (<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/eze004.htm">Ezekiel 4</a>). In later <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08399a.htm">Jewish</a> literature the names of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angels</a> were considered to have a peculiar efficacy, and the British Museum possesses some magic bowls inscribed with Hebrew, Aramaic, and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14408a.htm">Syriac</a> incantations in which the names of Michael, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12640b.htm">Raphael</a>, and Gabriel occur. These bowls were found at Hillah, the site of Babylon, and constitute an interesting relic of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03315a.htm">Jewish captivity</a>. In <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01601a.htm">apocryphal</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm">Christian</a> literature the same names occur, cf. Enoch, ix, and the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1005.htm">Apocalypse of the Blessed Virgin</a>. </div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #3d85c6;">As remarked above, Gabriel is mentioned only twice in the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14530a.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">New Testament</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">, but it is not unreasonable to suppose with </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">Christian</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15006b.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">tradition</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> that it is he who appeared to </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">St. Joseph</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> and to the shepherds, and also that it was he who "strengthened" </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374c.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">Our Lord</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> in the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06540a.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">garden</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> (cf. the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07595a.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">Hymn</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> for </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09038a.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">Lauds</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> on 24 March). Gabriel is generally termed only an archangel, but the expression used by </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12640b.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">St. Raphael</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">, "I am the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">angel</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12640b.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">Raphael</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" (</span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/tob012.htm#vrs15" style="color: #3d85c6;">Tobit 12:15</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">) and St. Gabriel's own words, "I am Gabriel, who stand before </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">God</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">" (</span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/luk001.htm#vrs19" style="color: #3d85c6;">Luke 1:19</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">), have led some to think that these </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">angels</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> must belong to the highest rank; but this is generally explained as referring to their rank as the highest of </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">God's</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> messengers, and not as placing them among the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13725b.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">Seraphim</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> and </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03646c.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">Cherubim</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> (cf. </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14663b.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">St. Thomas</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">, </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1112.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">I.112.3</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">; </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/4030.htm" style="color: #3d85c6;">III.30.2 ad 4um</a><span style="color: #3d85c6;">). </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZduS61dz3DTkJdCo8-Q5Sdw9NgRsmm575DsqnXL7gGc82H8y_nN4oj5wlGjo9ndIzFQ6QB5IofZIaYMn5Xn5JAjivdR5IsnwcsL688unDykvQEFnkcuzB7KUScT7CMGntzlnoXQBv9Zo/s1600/archangel_haniel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZduS61dz3DTkJdCo8-Q5Sdw9NgRsmm575DsqnXL7gGc82H8y_nN4oj5wlGjo9ndIzFQ6QB5IofZIaYMn5Xn5JAjivdR5IsnwcsL688unDykvQEFnkcuzB7KUScT7CMGntzlnoXQBv9Zo/s320/archangel_haniel.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Reflections</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">1) How faithful am I in bringing God's message of love to the people as St. Gabriel brought faithfully and promptly the message of love incarnate to the Blessed Virgin Mary?</span><br style="color: orange;" /><span style="color: orange;">2) How attentive am I in listening to God's words and voice as He talks to me in my everyday life?</span><br style="color: orange;" /><span style="color: orange;">3) Am I following the footsteps of Jesus and am I ready to carry the cross that He has given me?</span><br style="color: orange;" /><span style="color: orange;">4) Do I project God's love to others by my exemplary life?</span><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Prayer</span></b></span><br />
St. Gabriel, Holy Archangel, you, who are known as the bearer of God's secrets meant especially for His chosen ones, we, God's children, are constantly keeping watch on God's message. Through your powerful intercession, may we receive God's words and messages so that together with Mary, our Blessed Mother, we may give glory and praise to Him. May we also radiate God's love to others by our exemplary deeds. O, St. Gabriel, obtain for us the grace and present to God the Father the following requests _________ through Jesus Christ our Lord together with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933178414291934636.post-84012535816913111742011-06-10T20:36:00.000-07:002011-06-15T17:29:46.508-07:00St. Michael<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASJO1HASAmBRdbdr6TgARFA9tapqF1GixogwvhPxffQr84VACTPN0EP07aPctgageXXwLdNktKnH-PphC_in043wit9GKJAOomPgBGggFkVCWhG_ZRwZfRxgMCggugq1HcWj1Y4NFREQ/s1600/titleshield.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASJO1HASAmBRdbdr6TgARFA9tapqF1GixogwvhPxffQr84VACTPN0EP07aPctgageXXwLdNktKnH-PphC_in043wit9GKJAOomPgBGggFkVCWhG_ZRwZfRxgMCggugq1HcWj1Y4NFREQ/s1600/titleshield.gif" /></a></div><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText"><span style="color: red;"> St. Michael, the Archangel - Feast day - September 29th The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the warcry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels - as Prince of the Seraphim. St. Michael is the patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police and sickness. </span></span><br />
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<div style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">St. Michael in Scriptures:</span></b></span></div><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText"><span style="color: orange;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
(<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07176a.htm">Hebrew</a> "Who is like <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a>?").<br />
<br />
</div><div style="color: red;">St. Michael is one of the principal <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angels</a>; Four times his name is recorded in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible">Scripture</a>:<br />
<br />
</div><div style="color: orange;"> (1) <i><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/dan010.htm#vrs13">Daniel 10:13 sqq.</a></i>, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06330a.htm">Gabriel</a> says to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04620a.htm">Daniel</a>, when he asks <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a> to permit the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08399a.htm">Jews</a> to return to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08344a.htm">Jerusalem</a>: "The Angel [<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05140a.htm">D.V.</a> prince] of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11712a.htm">kingdom of the Persians</a> resisted me . . . and, behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me . . . and none is my helper in all these things, but Michael your prince." </div><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">(2) </span><i style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/dan012.htm">Daniel 12</a></i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">, the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Angel</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> speaking of the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08552a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">end of the world</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> and the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01559a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Antichrist</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> says: "At that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people." </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiC4EGSXDyREGIrPg0lkFlX4snHCegYvxZWi_2y4G6Py9qJvSoyZRYac8QDZ__VnRSnxYMAGRhy2pvKzQNiUWpPdz8AkJcbylLWETVdCbn2derj3jrDbvTYGpP-uUwc9o8CASrGWrcks/s1600/stmichael.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiC4EGSXDyREGIrPg0lkFlX4snHCegYvxZWi_2y4G6Py9qJvSoyZRYac8QDZ__VnRSnxYMAGRhy2pvKzQNiUWpPdz8AkJcbylLWETVdCbn2derj3jrDbvTYGpP-uUwc9o8CASrGWrcks/s200/stmichael.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"> (3) <i>In the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/jud001.htm">Catholic Epistle of St. Jude</a>:</i> "When Michael the Archangel, disputing with the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm">devil</a>, contended about the body of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10596a.htm">Moses</a>", etc. <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08542b.htm">St. Jude</a> alludes to an ancient <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08399a.htm">Jewish</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15006b.htm">tradition</a> of a dispute between Michael and <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm">Satan</a> over the body of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10596a.htm">Moses</a>, an account of which is also found in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01601a.htm">apocryphal</a> book on the assumption of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10596a.htm">Moses</a> (<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11306b.htm">Origen</a>, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/04123.htm"><i>De Principiis</i> III.2.2</a>). St. Michael concealed the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14773b.htm">tomb</a> of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10596a.htm">Moses</a>; <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm">Satan</a>, however, by disclosing it, tried to seduce the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08399a.htm">Jewish people</a> to the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm">sin</a> of hero-worship. St. Michael also guards the body of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05646b.htm">Eve</a>, according to the "Revelation of Moses" ("Apocryphal Gospels", etc., ed. A. Walker, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05284a.htm">Edinburgh</a>, p. 647). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgQ70PnX2LRMATA_mQSe3Usmq0givlX2IVJgb1YwsY4vcDiojzJRixv2aw5e0LyV57v6OgL9cefH9y8BLS8Ca6t87maaD3IMLQlQvweW51Ap6uxmNDEeSmyeoC3Gpck25yQN40NTvfGs/s1600/Michael.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgQ70PnX2LRMATA_mQSe3Usmq0givlX2IVJgb1YwsY4vcDiojzJRixv2aw5e0LyV57v6OgL9cefH9y8BLS8Ca6t87maaD3IMLQlQvweW51Ap6uxmNDEeSmyeoC3Gpck25yQN40NTvfGs/s200/Michael.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><div style="color: red;"> (4) <i><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/rev012.htm#vrs7">Apocalypse 12:7</a></i>, "And there was a great battle in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm">heaven</a>, Michael and his <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angels</a> fought with the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm">dragon</a>." <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm">St. John</a> speaks of the great conflict at the end of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14726a.htm">time</a>, which reflects also the battle in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm">heaven</a> at the beginning of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14726a.htm">time</a>. According to the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06001a.htm">Fathers</a> there is often question of St. Michael in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible">Scripture</a> where his name is not mentioned. They say he was the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03646c.htm">cherub</a> who stood at the gate of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14519a.htm">paradise</a>, "to keep the way of the tree of life" (<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/gen003.htm#vrs24">Genesis 3:24</a>), the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> through whom <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God</a> published the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04664a.htm">Decalogue</a> to his <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08193a.htm">chosen people</a>, the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> who stood in the way against <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02214b.htm">Balaam</a> (<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/num022.htm#vrs22">Numbers 22:22 sqq.</a>), the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm">angel</a> who routed the army of Sennacherib (<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/2ki019.htm#vrs35">2 Kings 19:35</a>). </div><div style="color: red;"><br />
<br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: orange;">Following these <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/bible">Scriptural</a> passages, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15006b.htm">Christian tradition</a> gives to St. Michael four offices:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: orange;"> </b><b> </b></span><br />
<ul><li style="color: #6aa84f;">To fight against <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm">Satan</a>. </li>
<li style="color: #3d85c6;">To rescue the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm">souls</a> of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05769a.htm">faithful</a> from the power of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm">enemy</a>, especially at the hour of death. </li>
<li style="color: red;">To be the champion of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm">God's</a> people, the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08399a.htm">Jews</a> in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10582c.htm">Old Law</a>, the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm">Christians</a> in the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14530a.htm">New Testament</a>; therefore he was the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11562a.htm">patron</a> of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm">Church</a>, and of the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10304d.htm">orders of knights</a> during the <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10285c.htm">Middle Ages</a>. </li>
<li style="color: orange;">To call away from earth and bring <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09580c.htm">men's</a> <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm">souls</a> to <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08550a.htm">judgment</a> ("signifer S. Michael repraesentet eas in lucam sanctam", Offert. Miss Defunct. "Constituit eum principem super animas suscipiendas", Antiph. off. Cf. <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/02013.htm"><i>The Shepherd of Hermas</i>, Book III, Similitude 8, Chapter 3</a>). </li>
</ul><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Regarding his rank in the celestial </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07322c.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">hierarchy</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> opinions vary; </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02330b.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">St. Basil</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> (Hom. de angelis) and other </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05230a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Greek</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06001a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Fathers</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">, also </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13402b.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Salmeron</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">, </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02411d.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Bellarmine</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">, etc., place St. Michael over all the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">angels</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">; they say he is called "archangel" because he is the prince of the other </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">angels</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">; others (cf. P. Bonaventura, op. cit.) believe that he is the prince of the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13725b.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">seraphim</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">, the first of the nine </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">angelic</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> orders. But, according to </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14663b.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">St. Thomas</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> (</span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1113.htm#article3" style="color: #6aa84f;">Summa Ia.113.3</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">) he is the prince of the last and lowest choir, the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">angels</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">. The </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13155a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Roman Liturgy</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> seems to follow the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05230a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Greek</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06001a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Fathers</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;">; it calls him "Princeps militiae coelestis quem honorificant angelorum cives". The </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07595a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">hymn</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> of the </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10611a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Mozarabic</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02768b.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Breviary</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> places St. Michael even above the Twenty-four Elders. The </span><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06774a.htm" style="color: #6aa84f;">Greek Liturgy</a><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> styles him </span><i style="color: #6aa84f;">Archistrategos</i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">, "highest general" (cf. Menaea, 8 Nov. and 6 Sept.). </span><br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Reflections:</b></span><br />
<br style="color: #3d85c6;" /> <span style="color: red;">1) How strong is my faith in God?</span><br style="color: red;" /><span style="color: red;"> 2) Do I firmly believe that He constantly watches me in all my undertakings?</span><br style="color: red;" /><span style="color: red;"> 3) Do I reject sin and all the works, promises and influence of Satan?</span><br style="color: red;" /><span style="color: red;"> 4) Do I commit myself faithfully to Jesus Christ by serving and loving my neighbors?</span></span></span><br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
<div style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prayer:</b></span></div></div><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: red;">O Mighty Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, St. Michael, we beg you to protect and defend us in ll struggles against the everyday temptations in this world. Help us to overcome all evils and strengthen us, that we may declare our faith in and loyalty to the Most High so that together with all the angels and saints in heaven we may glorify the Lord. St. Michael, please intercede for us together with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and obtain for us the following requests __________.</span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><br style="color: #3d85c6;" /><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><span style="color: orange;">Present to God the Father all these petitions through Jesus Christ our Lord together with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933178414291934636.post-61875811675996313962011-06-08T03:47:00.000-07:002011-06-08T03:50:50.212-07:00The Archangels<div align="left" class="style376" style="color: red;">The only two angels named in the protestant Bible are Michael and Gabriel. The book of Jude mentions <span class="style409"><i><b>"the archangel Michael"</b></i></span> (1:19), and that there is a fixed number of top ranking angels is clear according to Daniel, who wrote of <span class="style409"><i><b>“Michael, one of the chief [arch] princes [angels]" </b></i></span>(Dan. 10:13). Now, compare the following verses:</div><div align="left" class="style376" style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="style514" style="color: orange;"><b><u>Before</u> (<i>enopion</i>) the throne</b>, seven lamps were blazing. These are the <b>seven spirits</b> of God (Rev 4:5).</div><div align="left" class="style514"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYc-t1fhhi7prmLnrCQxc3292zCnw_4ArcHsLw2bM0uc7ij_7uUES7Jp_3z3HdST84WFqLTYbrHmYvtPzClIcETs3xOpYK-6zeIJrjlDB0pOj4iSP6fe5PTCknp4wmczpEnPVpnfYeZM/s1600/Menorah01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYc-t1fhhi7prmLnrCQxc3292zCnw_4ArcHsLw2bM0uc7ij_7uUES7Jp_3z3HdST84WFqLTYbrHmYvtPzClIcETs3xOpYK-6zeIJrjlDB0pOj4iSP6fe5PTCknp4wmczpEnPVpnfYeZM/s320/Menorah01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="left" class="style514"> </div><div align="left" class="style514" style="color: #6aa84f;">I saw <b>the seven angels who stand <u>before</u> (<i>enopion</i>) God</b>, and to them were given seven trumpets (Rev 8:2). </div><div align="left" class="style514" style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">Michael and the other<span class="style409"><b><i> "chief princes"</i></b></span> are indicated in Revelation 8:2, as <span class="style409"><i><b>"the seven angels who stand before God." </b></i></span>With a similar terminology, </div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUA6xoxi8M9k-HWoqCBQTeEWqNxquOwByMDl7DJ8FShi-hMWiUImEuWmXsdENV-12XCd2urdCSLLlRNebJ0xC_sqDS36iZ1ESjiEcIdwTNaJuhxKytOWoccJBGhcF8nW4yKUj8hGHaDS4/s1600/archangel-gabriel-322x500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUA6xoxi8M9k-HWoqCBQTeEWqNxquOwByMDl7DJ8FShi-hMWiUImEuWmXsdENV-12XCd2urdCSLLlRNebJ0xC_sqDS36iZ1ESjiEcIdwTNaJuhxKytOWoccJBGhcF8nW4yKUj8hGHaDS4/s320/archangel-gabriel-322x500.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">Luke 1:19 states, <span class="style409"><b><i>"The angel answered, 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God.' "</i></b></span> </div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;"> These are apparently associated with <span class="style409"><i><b>"the seven spirits of God"</b></i></span> who are <span class="style409"><i><b>"before the throne"</b></i></span> (Rev. 4:5). Notice that both the seven spirits and the seven angels stand <span class="style409"><b><i>"before"</i></b></span> God or his throne. The word<i> before </i>is "enopion" in Greek and means "in the face of:--before, in the presence (sight) of". That <i>angels </i>are also called "spirits" is clear in Hebrews 1:14, <span class="style409"><b><i>"Are not all angels ministering spirits?" </i></b></span>Moreover, i n Revelation 5:6, the seven spirits are called the <span class="style409"><i><b>"seven horns"</b></i></span> of the Lamb. This can be compared to the seven angels of chapter 8, for<span class="style409"><i><b> "to them were given seven trumpets" </b></i></span>(Rev 8:2). Although horn instruments are different than brass trumpets, a pattern is indicated. That the seven trumpets connect to the seven Archangels can clearly be seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, <span class="style409"><i><b>"The Lord himself will come down from heaven with...the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God</b></i></span><b>."</b> The return of Jesus, which shall be announced with a trumpet, is likewise associated with the voice of the archangel. </div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div style="color: orange;">While there is only one Holy Spirit (cf. Jn. 16:13, 1Co. 12:11), the main symbol of Revelation is the seven branched Menorah Lampstand, symbolizing the seven attributes of the Holy Spirit (cf. Zech 4, Isa. 11, Rev. 4:5). From the stand, the seven Archangels branch off to each operate in a specific function corresponding to God's sevenfold charactor. In the book of Tobit, contained in the ancient Greek Septuagint (LXX) and Catholic canons of the Bible, the angel Raphael is named as one of these seven angels before God's throne:</div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8ZXYv2LB14CTd7X0WVZKyTfYSFgre7VsUqMaEJ_-_vTNbv5DqHRPAk1R0kxngcUhNmdMrcuftx25X5gT-tPlT_QyzVaz1dCayp1sE0vNXOahE8zrRKpunQv0p3hzrsl9kvgbPlEWZnY/s1600/7852619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8ZXYv2LB14CTd7X0WVZKyTfYSFgre7VsUqMaEJ_-_vTNbv5DqHRPAk1R0kxngcUhNmdMrcuftx25X5gT-tPlT_QyzVaz1dCayp1sE0vNXOahE8zrRKpunQv0p3hzrsl9kvgbPlEWZnY/s320/7852619.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><blockquote style="color: #6aa84f;"><div class="style514">I am Raphael, <b>one of the seven holy angels</b>, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out <b>before the glory of the Holy One</b> (Tobit 12:14-15).</div></blockquote><div style="color: #3d85c6;">Raphael is mentioned as one of the seven archangels who are <span class="style409"><i><b>"before the glory of the Holy One"</b></i></span>. Notice the word <span class="style409"><i><b>"before." </b></i></span>This verifies what is indicated in Revelation 4:5 and 8:2, i.e., that the seven spirits are the seven angels BEFORE the throne. That angels can be associates with the Holy Spirit is indicated where Paul stated: <span class="style409"><i><b>“I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things"</b></i></span> (1 Tim. 5:21). Instead of saying the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (cf. Matt. 28:19), Paul places the angels after Jesus. This very order is also repeated in Revelation 1:4-5, where the <span class="style409"><i><b>"seven spirits before his throne" </b></i></span>are apparently interchangeable with the Holy Spirit. I believe this is because the one and the same Spirit branches out to reveal God's charactor through the seven archangels.</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;">Now, many women lost in the New Age movement have worshiped angels, equating them right along with Buddha and pagan Hindu idols. Instead of doing this, these women ought to have taken their love of angels and went to India, like Mother Teresa, and helped to replace all Hindu idolatry with the beautiful actuality of the angels of heaven. But the Bible strictly forbids this saying:</div><blockquote style="color: orange;"><div class="style514">Do not let anyone who delights in…the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions (Col. 2:18).</div></blockquote><div style="color: #6aa84f;">Many "new agers" are quick to go into great detail about angels, all the while, admitting they do not even believe in Jesus Christ. Thus, this caution can be seen clearly where after <span class="style409"><b><i>“the angel” </i></b></span>spoke to John the Revelator, he wrote:</div><blockquote style="color: #3d85c6;"><div class="style514">At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!” (Rev. 19:10).</div></blockquote><div style="color: red;">As our fellow servants, they serve as some of the best examples of service to the Heavenly Father. Moreover, Jesus <span class="style409"><b><i>“became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs”</i></b></span> (Heb. 1:4). Jesus, the King of angels, sends them forth as servants under his command.</div><span style="color: red;"> </span> <br />
<div style="color: red;">Although the Bible indicates that these are archangels, they are by no means to be exalted. Rather, they are to be understood as different attributes of the Holy Spirit. We are to understand this mystery only as it enhances our understanding of the LORD God Almighty. It is true that the book of Revelation emphasizes what is <span class="style409"><b><i>"before the throne"</i></b></span>, but it is also written, <span class="style409"><b><i>"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it" </i></b></span>(Rev. 20:11). The value of a mere menorah is to be found in its ability to, in many ways, represent our love that we are to have for who is on the throne of heaven and upon the throne of our hearts. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com