Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Apocalypse 12:7-12 / John 1:47-51
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael that are mentioned in the Bible.
Archangels, and angels, are servants of God and in particular, the three archangels are given special missions to carry out God's plan of salvation for humanity.
St. Michael was given the task of leading the army of angels of heaven to fight and defeat and to drive out the devil and the fallen angels out of heaven.
He is the protector of God's people and we turn to him with the "Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel" whenever we face mortal or spiritual dangers.
St. Gabriel was the messenger of God's plan of salvation, firstly to Zechariah when he was offering incense at the Temple, and then to Mary at the Annunciation.
We turn to him for his assistance especially when we have difficulty in proclaiming God's message, whether orally or in written form.
St. Raphael appeared in the Book of Tobit where he declared that he was sent by the Lord to heal Tobit of his blindness and to deliver Sarah, his future daughter-in-law, from the demon Asmodeus, who killed every man she married on their wedding night before the marriage can be consummated.
We turn to him for his intercession in times of illness and in praying for a cure.
So in this feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, we ask for their help and intercession as we face the dangers, difficulties and the distress of life.
And we also give thanks to God for sending these His servants and messages to help us in our need and to guide us along the journey of life.