saint of the week

September 27^th Saint of the Week.

 

Hanging on my bathroom mirror is a piece of construction paper with the following etched in crayon:  If Ur stressed, just take a rest and today will be your best. 

This was a gift from my daughter on a particularly trying day.  It made me smile and realize that she knew exactly what I needed.

 

I have heard it said that 'we are each other's angels'.   Not the pudgy, little, Victorian cherubs that we see on calendars and stationary but rather, angels in terms of deeds.

The great thing about angels is that they do not stand around and wait for gratitude or applause.  They give what is needed out of love and that is their satisfaction.

 

September 27 is the feast of the archangels:  Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel.

Michael, as you know is the protector.  He cast Satan out of heaven. (So that shoots the idea that angels are pudgy and cute.  I picture Michael with bulging biceps and a spear).  During his Papacy, St. Leo had a vision of the daily struggle of good and evil that occurs in this world. He collapsed.  Eventually though, he wrote this prayer:

 

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard
against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we
most humbly pray. And do thou, O prince of heavenly host, by the power of
God, thrust into hell Satan and all other evil spirits that prowl through the
world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

 

In Christianity, Judaism and Islam, Raphael is known for healing.  It is believed that he stirred the waters in Bethseda (as mentioned in the New Testament).

 

Gabriel is God's messenger.  Most famous for his words to Mary, He appears repeatedly throughout the Old and New Testament.  Muslims believe that he gave the Qur'an to Muhammad.

 

So whether you are a pudgy little angel or one with bulging biceps know that Michael, Raphael and Gabriel are counting on you to help heal, witness to, and protect others in the name of God, even if you have to use crayons.