The Feast of the Archangels

 

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Today we celebrate 

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, 

the holy archangels 

who stand in the presence of God, 

faithfully carrying out His will.

What do we have in common with these heavenly messengers?

We have the Holy Spirit.

The angels are not the Holy Spirit, 

nor are they merely divine powers. 

They are God's creatures, 

filled with His grace, 

living in His presence, 

and perfectly attentive to His voice. 

They serve Him with unwavering fidelity, 

reflecting His glory

 and carrying out His purposes.

Yet the same God 

who fills the angels with His grace 

has poured His Spirit into our hearts.

The Holy Spirit unites us to the Lord, 

guides our steps, 

forms our hearts, 

and strengthens us 

to serve when the road is difficult 

and the task seems greater than our ability.

Through grace, 

we become dwelling places of God. 

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 

abide within every faithful soul.

What a gift.

What a mystery.

What a reason to walk each day 

with confidence, hope, and trust.

Jesus reminds us:

"You will see heaven opened 

and the angels of God 

ascending and descending 

on the Son of Man." (John 1:51)

The archangels point us toward Christ. 

They remind us that heaven is not distant, 

but actively at work in God's plan of salvation.

May we listen as attentively as Gabriel, 

stand as courageously as Michael, 

and walk as faithfully as Raphael, 

trusting the Holy Spirit 

to lead us ever deeper

 into the heart of God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, 

Thank You for the gift of Your holy angels 

and the presence of Your Holy Spirit.
Like Michael, give us courage; 

like Gabriel, give us obedience; 

like Raphael, guide us on our journey.
May Your divine presence strengthen us,

lead us, and draw us ever closer to You.
Amen.

Service Becomes Surrender

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 Sometimes, if I'm honest, 

I find myself doing too much.

A call comes from another parish. 

A need arises. 

A place is empty. 

And I step in.

At first glance, 

it looks like service. 

But prayer asks deeper questions.

Am I doing this for God? 

Or am I doing it for myself?

The disciples wrestled with that same struggle. 

They argued about who was the greatest. 

Jesus responded by placing a child at His side 

and reminding them that greatness 

is found in humility, not recognition.

We all carry subtle obstacles. 

Not usually the obvious sins, 

but the quiet desires to be needed, 

to be noticed, 

to feel important.

Yet the Holy Spirit gently calls us back.

Back to simplicity. 

Back to dependence. 

Back to serving Christ, 

not ourselves.

Someone asked me after Mass 

one Sunday morning, 

"How can you be so joyful this early?"

The answer is simple.

I'm bringing Jesus. 

I'm proclaiming the Gospel. 

I'm standing in the presence of God's people.

Every day my prayer remains the same:

Come, Holy Spirit. 

Fill me with Your joy. 

Set my heart ablaze with Your presence. 

And let everything I do begin with You, 

flow through You, 

and return to You.

Amen