26th Week in the Ordinary Time - Thursday (Year II)
29th September 2022 (Thursday)
The angelic love of God!
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Reading of the Day
For more certainity the Readings are posted from the Catholic Lectionary {alertInfo}
First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
"As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Psalm 138:1-2a, 2bcd-3, 4-5 (R. 1c)
Response: In the presence of the angels I praise you, O Lord.
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I praise you.
I bow down toward your holy temple. Response
Gospel Reading: John 1:47-51
At that time: Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree', do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertSuccess}
Main Theme: The Angelic Love of God!
Indicative: God always loves us and works for us. Angels become His holy heavenly assistants to channel this love and work and bring them to completion{alertWarning}
1. We celebrate today the feast of the three archangels, namely Sts Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. We owe deep gratitude and veneration to them. They are not only in the heavenly court, in God’s most holy presence, ever in His worship. They are also so actively involved in our life and salvation.
2. All three work on our behalf. All the three man three key functions: Confirming, curing, and communicating. St Michael confirms us, that is, makes us firm against Satan. St Michael is the army chief who is unceasingly engaged in the battle against Satan. Like a true warrior, he wages a fearless war against evil. He also encourages, sustains, and strengthens us in our constant battle against evil.
3. St Raphael heads the health department. He cures us from our sicknesses and infirmities. He renders a healing touch to our sick and wounded spirits. He enables us to live sane and healthy lives. This healing is not only and not necessarily concerning physical unwellness but much more the holistic well-being.
4. St Gabriel is in charge of the communication wing. He transmits the messages and the directions from God to the destined persons or communities. He gives clarity regarding God’s will and ways and helps in the process of discernment of God’s plans and their implementation.
5. In fact, all these three are not three separate and independent wings of individual functions. They go together. Only then, our life will be one integrated whole. Our life is meaningful and joyful only when there is constant resistance and fight against evil, only when we recover from our infirmities and regain health, and only when we receive and understand God’s will and plans.
6. Further, these three are actually symbolic and indicative of three essential aspects of God’s own powers and interventions in our life. The three archangels and their duties are significative that God is ever “combative”, “curative” and “communicative” in favour of the humans.
Imperative: The festivity of the archangels is a summon for us to be ever grateful toward God for His unceasing care and concern for us to lead an integrated life. It also calls us in turn to become warriors, healers, and communicators toward others{alertWarning}
Video Reflection
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