Today is the Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, and of All Angels.

Saint Michael is an archangel who wages war against evil.
He is considered a healer of the sick,

St. Gabriel angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Saint Gabriel angel came in unto her, and said to Mary.
Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

St. raphael
The name of this archangel (Raphael = "God has healed")
His name means the healing of God. and he is thought to be the Angel who came down and agitated the water of the pool of Bethsaida in Jerusalem.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 (or Revelation 12:7-12a)

 I looked and saw the following:

Some thrones were set in place and One of Great Age took his seat. His robe was white as snow, his hair white as washed wool. His throne was flames of fire with wheels of blazing fire.   A river of fire sprang forth and flowed before him. Thousands upon thousands served him and a countless multitude stood before him.

Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book.  I continued watching the nocturnal vision:

One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into his presence.

 Dominion, honor and kingship were given him, and all the peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.

 

Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5

In the sight of the angels, I will sing your praises, Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊ 

John 1:47-51

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said of him, “Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him.” Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” And Jesus said to him, “Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree and I saw you.”

Nathanael answered, “Master, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” But Jesus replied, “You believe because I said: ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ But you will see greater things than that.

Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

  Gospel Reflection：

Angels in Disguise

A friend of mine, depressed and suicidal following a break-up with his girlfriend, was walking along the streets of Los Angeles. Suddenly, a man approached him and said: “I know you are troubled.

We do not know each other, but your name stars with D and the girl who broke up with you has the initials S. M. I am here just to tell you that whatever you are feeling right now will get better. Focus on what is good in life, look to the future with hope, find your purpose in life.”

Having said this, the man smiled and walked away until today, my friend has no idea who he was; but what he said lifted up his spirit and impelled him towards life. But wasn’t the stranger an angel in disguise? In manifold ways, God sends his angels to help us, protect us, guide us. when was the last time you called upon the angels?