Feast of the archangels

Only three angels are mentioned in Scripture: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael. I was interested to read a bit more as my church tradition has not taught me to remember these spiritual beings.

Gabriel means "strength of God". He brings news to Zechariah/Elizabeth about John being born to them; and news to Mary about being chosen to bear the Son of God.

Michael means "who is like God?" He is a powerful angel in the heavenly host assigned to battle with the devil and casts him down (Dan. 10: 13; 12:1; Rev. 12: 7 - 9)

Raphael means "God heals". He is sometimes identified with the angel who moved the waters of the healing pool in Jerusalem (John 5: 1 - 4). In the extracanonical book of Tobit he wipes away the blindness of Tobit (Tobit 5).

These heavenly beings remind us of the 'unseen' realm that is in fact even more real, being eternal. We live in time and sometimes grow very earthbound in our worldview. O for the graced ability to remember at all times that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, especially these special workers of God.