Feast of St. Michael & All Angels

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, when we pause to reflect on the mystery of the angelic beings who serve as God's messengers, protectors, and warriors. It is a special day for me. On the night before this great feast, 10 years ago,  I was ordained a deacon. So this Feast holds a special meaning for me. The Scriptures for today give us profound insight into the spiritual realities that surround us, both visible and invisible. From Jacob’s vision of the heavenly ladder in Genesis 28 to the victorious battle in heaven in Revelation 12, and finally, to Jesus' promise to Nathanael in John 1, we are invited to see a world teeming with divine activity. The angelic realm is not distant or disconnected from our lives. Rather, angels, particularly St. Michael, remind us that heaven and earth are closely linked and that God's purpose is always working out in both realms. Let's explore what these readings reveal about the connection between heaven and earth, and what it means for us as we live out our faith. In the reading from Genesis, Jacob has a dream as he is journeying alone. In this vision, he sees a ladder stretching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending upon it. At the top of the ladder stands the Lord, who reaffirms the promises He made to Abraham and Isaac, declaring that Jacob’s descendants will inherit the land and that through them, all the nations of the earth will be blessed.This vision is powerful because it reveals that heaven is not disconnected from earth. The ladder symbolizes the constant interaction between the divine and the earthly realms. 

God’s angels are actively involved in bringing His purposes to pass on earth. Amid his uncertainty and fear, Jacob is given a glimpse of this greater reality—God is near, and His promises are sure. For us, this passage serves as a reminder that no matter where we are in life—whether in a place of struggle, like Jacob was, or in a moment of peace—God is always present, and His angels are at work around us. Heaven is open, and God’s purposes are unfolding, even when we are unaware. This vision of the ladder also points us forward to the ministry of Jesus. Jesus Himself is the true ladder, the bridge between heaven and earth. He is the One through whom heaven comes down to us, and through whom we are drawn up to God. The angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man, as Jesus tells Nathanael in John 1, indicate that in Christ, God’s work in the world is fully revealed.In Revelation 12, we are given a glimpse into the cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil. Michael, the archangel, leads the armies of heaven in a battle against the dragon—Satan. The dragon and his angels are cast out of heaven, and there is great rejoicing because “the accuser of our brothers and sisters” has been defeated by the power of God. This passage speaks to us on multiple levels. On a literal level, it depicts the spiritual battle that took place in heaven, but allegorically, it also represents the ongoing struggle between good and evil in the world. Michael’s victory over the dragon symbolizes the power of God’s justice and truth triumphing over the forces of sin and darkness. It is a powerful reminder that while evil may seem strong and pervasive, it does not have the final word. Michael, whose name means "Who is like God?", leads the charge not by his strength, but by the authority and power of God. 

In the same way, we are called to stand firm in the spiritual battles we face, trusting not in our power but in the strength of Christ. The victory described in Revelation is not just a heavenly event but is deeply connected to Christ's victory on the cross. It is by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony that the forces of evil are ultimately overcome.This battle is not just cosmic, but personal. Each of us is engaged in spiritual warfare, and St. Michael’s triumph encourages us to fight the good fight, knowing that we do so in the power of Christ’s victory. God has already secured the ultimate triumph over evil, and as His people, we are called to participate in this victory through faith, prayer, and the proclamation of the Gospel. In John 1, we encounter Jesus’ conversation with Nathanael. After demonstrating His supernatural knowledge of Nathanael’s character and whereabouts, Jesus promises him something even greater. He tells Nathanael, “You will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Here, Jesus is identifying Himself as the fulfillment of Jacob’s dream. He is the true ladder between heaven and earth, the One through whom God's saving work comes into the world. Just as Jacob saw the angels in his vision, Jesus revealed that His very presence brings the activity of heaven into our midst. In Jesus, heaven is opened, and the connection between God and humanity is restored.This passage reinforces the central message of the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels: God’s divine purposes are intimately involved in the world through the work of His angels, but most fully through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

The angels, who ascend and descend upon Jesus, point to His unique role as the mediator between heaven and earth. He is our bridge to God, our protector, and the One who secures our victory over sin and death.  As we reflect on today’s readings, we are reminded that heaven and earth are not separate realms, but are intertwined. God’s angels, led by St. Michael, are at work in the world, battling against the forces of darkness and protecting God’s people. But more importantly, Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate connection between heaven and earth. In Him, the divine and the human meet, and through Him, God’s purposes are fulfilled.As we go out today, let us be encouraged by the presence of angels who surround us and by the victory that Christ has already won. We live in a world that is still caught in the tension between good and evil, but we do so with the assurance that God’s heavenly forces are with us. Like Jacob, may we have eyes to see the ladder stretching from earth to heaven, and like Nathanael, may we recognize that in Christ, heaven is opened to us.

 


 

 


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