Vigils Reading – St Michael & All Angels

THE MESSENGERS OF GOD

From the writing of St Gregory the Great

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You should be aware that the word “angel” denotes a function rather than

a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can

only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover those who

deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim

messages of supreme importance are called archangels.

And so it was that not merely an angel but the archangel Gabriel was sent

to the Virgin Mary. It was only fitting that the highest angel should come to

announce the greatest of messages.

Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are

empowered to perform. In that holy city where perfect knowledge flows from

the vision of Almighty God, those who have no names may easily be known. But

personal names are assigned to some, not because they would not be known

without them, but rather to denote their ministry when they come among us.

Thus Michael means “Who is like God?”; Gabriel is “The Strength of God”; and

Raphael is “God’s Remedy”.

Whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed, Michael is

sent, so that his action and his name may make it clear that no one can do what

God does by his superior power. So also our ancient foe desired in his pride to be

like God, saying: I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the

stars of heaven; I will be like the Most High. He will be allowed to remain in

power until the end of the world when he will be destroyed in the final

punishment. Then he will fight with the archangel Michael, as we are told by

John: A battle was fought with Michael the archangel.

So too Gabriel, who is called God’s strength, was sent to Mary. He came to

announce the One who appeared as a humble man to quell the cosmic powers.

Thus God’s strength announced the coming of the Lord of the heavenly powers,

mighty in battle.

Raphael means…God’s remedy, for when he touched Tobit’s eyes in order

to cure him, he banished the darkness of his blindness. Thus since he is to heal,

he is rightly called God’s remedy.