Confident in Battle

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092916.cfm) reminds me that I should be confident in battle against the evil one. 

Culture depicts the devil/satan as a powerful and scary creature, and it depicts God as a peaceful and loving creature. We also associate angels with cute babies and kids. This sometimes make us think that the devil is more powerful than God. However, this is not true. As they say, angels are not cute babies, but mighty beings. They are soldiers of God. That's why they defeated Satan in the first reading. We tend to forget that though God is peaceful and loving God, He is also powerful - more powerful than the devil. As such, as long as we are on God's side, we need not be afraid of anything or anyone.

The first reading shows us three saints whose feast we are celebrating today. Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael bravely and confidently fought the devil. They have a reason to do so, because they are on God's side.

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

In the gospel, we again see a glimpse of how powerful God through Jesus is. He is not bound by time and space. He may be in this world, but he is definitely not of this world.

Sometimes, when problems overwhelm us, we feel helpless. When the world seems to crush on us, we feel hopeless. When situations seem too strong for us, we feel afraid and insecure. We fear the power of the devil and what he can do to us. Today, we are reminded to be strong and confident as we fight for and with God.

God is powerful and strong. His angels watching over us are powerful and strong as well. We are in good hands as long as we are in God's hands. We should be confident in battle, especially as we face challenges because of our faith in and love for God. 

Just as God is loving and peaceful, he also is very powerful. May this calm us and remind us who we should fight for. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the encouraging reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I forget how powerful you are. Sorry for the times I forget how powerful your angels are. Remind me of your great love and power. May we always be ready and willing to bravely and confidently fight for you, the way the archangels did. May I defend your kingdom with the way I live. Lord, I thank you for the gift of life. I ask you to bless all those celebrating their birthdays today especially my uncle Miguel. Bless, protect and defend him. May he always be a blessing to others. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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September 29, 2016
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels
Lectionary: 647

Reading 1 Rev 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.

Alleluia Ps 103:21

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.”