25th Week in Ordinary Time
29th September 2023 (Friday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
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.
Alternative Reading: Revelation 12:7-12a
War arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!
Psalm 138:1-2a, 2bcd-3, 4-5 (R. 1c)
R/. . In the presence of the angels I praise you, O Lord.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his servants, who do his will.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : 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.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Archangels: the Arch of God’s Care!
Reflections are not based on Daniel 7. 9-10, 13-14; John 1. 47-51 {alertInfo}
Guidlines: Our God is a caring God and in His benevolent and attentive reign, He enters and intervenes in our lives and comes to our aid{alertSuccess}
1. On 29 September we celebrate the feast of the three archangels, namely Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. In our simple modern terminology, each of them heads a particular department or an area of responsibility. Michael is the army chief, and so takes care of the fight against evil. Gabriel is the communication chief and so takes care of the information and annunciations wing. Raphael is the medical chief and so takes care of the health and healing.
2. But all these are not independent and isolated ministries. The overall owner and the director is God Himself, under whose wise and efficient rule, all the three work. They are not competitors with God but collaborators. They are not substitutes but agents and instruments of God’s work.
3. In this way, these three symbolize three essential components of God’s own functioning. God battles against evil, He communicates with us and He heals us. These three also show us the nature of God’s functioning. Our God is not a monopoliser. He involves others, and here, in this case, His angels to carry out His own will and reign.
4. The three archangels also indicate to us the sole purpose of God’s working. It is a benevolent mission oriented toward the whole of humanity. God works relentlessly for our good. He knows our human struggle against evil, as fragile beings. So, He assists and sustains us through Michael. He knows our confusion, unclarity and incomprehension concerning God’s will and ways. So, He communicates, clarifying and enlightening through Gabriel. He knows our sicknesses, our insanities. So, He extends His healing touch through Raphael.
5. The feast of the three archangels must deepen in us an active sense of gratitude and appreciation toward God’s marvellous care for us. Further, it must make us committed collaborators in the plan of God’s salvation. In the light of today’s feast, it would imply that we must constantly combat evil, be receptive to the communication of God and be docile to the healing touch of God.
Practice: The expression in the gospel that “angels of God are ascending and descending upon the Son of man” can mean that the angels are constantly on the work of God, mediating between heaven and earth. This can be a firm assurance of God’s deep concern for us{alertSuccess}