Reading 1
dn 7:9-10, 13-14
As I watched:
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
or rv 12:7-12ab
War broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them.”
Responsorial Psalm
ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5
R. (1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
“Great is the glory of the LORD
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Gospel
jn 1:47-51
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: GOD'S SWAT TEAM
"Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in heaven." –Revelation 12:7-8
Angels, being invisible, are hard for us to understand. Yet angels do take on bodies. This at least gives us a clue regarding the mentality of the angels. Angels usually appear in the Bible either as the average man (Heb 13:2) or as gigantic creatures (Rv 19:17). As far as I know, they never appear as fat little babies with wings. This common picture of angels tells us more about our confused state of mind than about angels.
Angels are formidable creatures who will attack demons. They do not just float around on clouds and occasionally resist Satan. Aggressively they take the offensive against Satan, who desperately tries to defend himself (Rv 12:7).
Therefore, spiritual warfare is nothing for us to hang our heads about but to rejoice in. Satan is the one who should be discouraged about spiritual warfare. He's the loser. We, along with the angels, are "more than conquerors" in Jesus (Rm 8:37).
PRAYER: Father, may I get to know the three archangels personally and talk to them daily.
PROMISE: "I solemnly assure you, you shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." –Jn 1:51
PRAISE: St. Michael thrusts into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Praise You, Lord, for providing such mighty helpers!
Be an inspiration, kindly Share.
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