September 29, 2026
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels, three of whom are mentioned by name in Scripture: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
As I begin this reflection, I think of a beautiful mural above an altar in our motherhouse chapel. The painting depicts the Christmas scene: Mary and Joseph beside Jesus in his crib. Peeking over a windowsill, barely noticeable at first glance, two winged cherubs observe the holy scene. Something like this Renaissance version:
by Guido Reni
As beautiful as such images may be, they can obscure a deeper appreciation of angels in Scripture and in our spiritual lives.
Walter Brueggemann, in a Christmas sermon from 1972, reminds us that the biblical understanding of angels was far removed from the sweet, decorative cherubs that often populate religious art. Angels were messengers—bearers of divine communication. They were agents of God’s purpose, bringing messages that were clear, urgent, and often unsettling. Whether appearing in dreams, visions, storms, inner promptings, or heavenly voices, angels conveyed God’s Will.
Scripture certainly confirms this understanding.
In Revelation 12:7-12 and Jude 1:9, Michael appears as a warrior, confronting the forces of evil and defending God’s people. Growing up in St. Michael’s Parish in Old Kensington, I had a heartfelt devotion to this guardian!
Raphael is a central figure in the Book of Tobit. Disguised as a human guide named Azariah, he accompanies Tobias on a dangerous journey before revealing his true identity in chapter 12. Raphael’s ministry is one of guidance, healing, and protection.
Gabriel, so familiar to us from Luke’s earth-shaking Nativity stories, first appears in the Book of Daniel. There, as later with Mary, he opens hearts and minds to God’s purposes.
Matthew’s Inspiration
Jesus himself speaks frequently of angels in Matthew’s Gospel. In Matthew 18:10, he tells us:
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father.”
In chapters 13 and 24, Jesus describes angels assisting at the end of time in gathering the faithful and separating the righteous from the wicked. As his passion begins, he proclaims that he could summon “more than twelve legions of angels” if he chose to do so.
I think it’s hard to believe in angels because they are spiritual beings. Not many bodily cherubs have floated by me in my lifetime. But I have certainly felt both gentle and earth-shaking nudges in my life to move deeper into the graces God has offered me.
Those nudges were my angels. They did not have wings, or a body, or an accompanying harp. What they had was a message, a call, and sometimes a demand from God. Often, they were at first invisible to me, and to be honest – sometimes annoying – until I did the necessary work of listening with prayerful concentration.
When such angels alight, we do well to focus on their suggestions. Ignoring them won’t make them disappear.🫠
Music: Music of Angels – Mozart
Suggested Scripture: Psalm 138:1-5
For Your Reflection:
- What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
- Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ?
- What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?