Collect of the Day

Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of St. Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Genesis 28:10-17

In this passage Jacob flees from Esau. When night fell, Jacob laid his head down on a stone. He dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

  1. What troublesome situation have we attempted to run away from?

  2. In the midst of our distress, where have we gone for refuge?

  3. Does that place of refuge bring us closer to or farther away from God?

  4. When Jacob woke from his sleep he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” Where is the strangest place where you felt God’s presence but never expected to encounter God in that place?

  5. Where is the “gate of heaven” in our life?

Revelation 12:7-12

This passage depicts the fight between Michael’s army and Satan’s army (aka dragon or Devil). Ultimately, Satan’s army was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. Satan’s army was thrown down to the earth and sea. Satan’s army was conquered by the blood of the Lamb and by the testimony of the faithful for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.

  1. Is there war in heaven?

  2. Does God have enemies; do we have enemies? Who is the enemy?

  3. What might explain the innocent suffering and abject poverty we see in this temporal world?

  4. What is the ultimate solution for the trials and tribulations of this world?

John 1:47-51

This passage depicts the encounter between Jesus and Nathanel. Jesus had high regard for Nathanel and even testified in front of others that Nathanel was an Israelite in whom there was no deceit. Upon hearing Jesus’ testimony, Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathaniel then replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

  1. What testimony would Jesus give about us?

  2. How might the reality of Jesus knowing everything about us impact how we live our life?

  3. Why do we believe in Jesus Christ? Would you describe your belief in Jesus Christ as an emotional, cognitive or behavioral experience? Explain.

  4. What did Jesus mean when he told Nathanel: “You will see greater things than these”?

  5. What is mystery, and what role does it play in our spiritual experience?

  6. Have we seen heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending? If not, then why not? If so, then in what spiritual context has this occurred?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+

SAINT MICHAEL MEET THE ANGEL - TRAILER



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