This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
Today is the feast of the three great archangels, who stand in primacy with respect to the other angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael.
All three of these angels are mentioned in Scripture with a concrete role to play in the saga of man’s salvation. Gabriel enjoys the privileged role of announcing to Mary her conception of Jesus. Raphael helps the holy Tobias escape Satan in the book of Tobit. And Michael casts Satan from the skies. (He continues to protect us and the world from the attacks of Satan as we invoke Him in the St. Michael Prayer, which Pope Leo XIII introduced to the Church and asked us to pray.)
Today, though, only one of these is mentioned by name: Michael. We may well imagine that the others are not envious, though.
For as it happens, if we look at them carefully, the readings today are not really centered on these great servants of the Lord. Rather, they are focused on the “Blood of the Lamb,” and the “Son of Man.” The role of the angels in all the readings today, including the psalm, is that of ministering to the Lord. In the gospel, they are “ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” In the psalm, they are standing watch as we sing our praises to God. In one first reading option, they are ministering to God by the thousands; in the other, they conquer by the Blood of the Lamb.
One may fancy that these readings were picked out by these three angels themselves for this day, as their favorites. It is quite safe to say that their concept of themselves is not defined by the different tasks they’ve completed and the exploits they’ve performed, which are scarcely mentioned today; it is centered, rather, on the privilege they enjoy of ministering to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, Him who achieved victory through His sacrifice and whose “dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away.”
Today’s readings, in fact, give one the impression that the angels never tire of singing Christ’s praises, and that they find the very joy of there identity therein.
Often, in prayer, we ask for help, and maybe we puzzle over the conundra that life throws at us, asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten us. But how much time do we spend simply praising Jesus?
One may think, praising Jesus is terribly boring, and useless. It’s using the same old words used by millions of others to tell God something that He already knows. He’s great. Woo hoo.
But consider the praise of the angels. It comes not from weary, rote, servile obligation, but from overflowing joy that simply has to come out.
Who is your favorite musician? Has there ever been one that you’ve obsessed over a bit? Imagine that person walking into your living room and sitting down for a refreshment and a chat, taking an interest in your life. In your joy, you would gush about how great that musician is. Maybe you would comment on your favorite song. “How did you write that? Oh my gosh you’re a genius!”
Meaningful praise comes when our mind and heart are truly full of the immensity of God. When this is the case, praise does not feel useless; it feels necessary. Do you have trouble sensing God’s beauty and glory? Don’t be discouraged. Remain faithful to your daily prayer, and patient. It will come.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Chat with Jesus “in your living room.” Go over with Him in your mind the crazy scheme of the Incarnation, the heroically shouldered burden of the passion, the cataclysmic and yet quiet miracle of the Resurrection, by which Jesus beat our death. Then, consider that He loves you just as you are, personally, even with your sins; that He would go through it all again for you. Consider that, even in your “work-in-progress” state, He is immensely proud of you, prouder than the parent of a crippled child learning to walk in rehab. Consider His greatness, His love, His mercy. And praise Him–praise Him like the angels themselves do.
Follow the Author on Twitter:Follow @mvhaywilliams