Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

1st Reading: 1st Reading: Dn 7:9–10, 13–14 (or Rev 12:7–12a)
Gospel: Jn 1:47–51
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said of him, “Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him.” Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” And Jesus said to him, “Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree and I saw you.”
Nathanael answered, “Master, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” But Jesus replied, “You believe because I said: ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ But you will see greater things than that.
Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Commentary
Archangels are superior or higher-ranking angels. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In Christianity, the only archangels ever clearly named are Michael (patron saint of law enforcement officers), Gabriel (patron saint of dispatchers and emergency communications staff), and Raphael. The New Testament rarely speaks of angels, referring only twice to Michael, when the voice of the archangel will be heard at the return of Christ. Contrary to popular belief, Gabriel is never called an archangel in the gospels. In church tradition, however, there are three archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
It is easy for skeptical minds to see, in these angelic hosts, the mere play of Hebrew fancy and the rank growth of superstition. But records of angels in the Bible supply a most natural and harmonious progression. The angels appear in the course of the chosen people’s history as God’s messengers. All this loving ministry on the part of the angels is solely for the sake of the messiah, on whose face they desire to look. Hence, when the fullness of time arrives, it is the angels, who bring the glad message and sing: “Glory to God in the highest!”

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