In his homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis explained how the three archangels help people to achieve salvation, especially remembering their feast day.
POPE FRANCIS
'Michael, help us in the fight. Each of us knows what struggles we have in life today. Each one of us knows his or her main struggle, the one that threatens our salvation. Gabriel, bring us news, bring us the Good News of salvation, that Jesus is with us, Jesus has saved us, and He gives us hope. Raphael, take us by the hand and help us on our journey.'
Finally, Pope Francis added that both people and angels have the same vocation, that of serving God.
EXTRACTS FROM PAPAL HOMILY
“Angels are masters of contemplation: they serve and contemplate the Lord who has sent them to accompany us on the path of life. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael in particular have an important role in our journey towards salvation.
Michael is the one who fights against the devil and protects humanity from the snares of evil. He protects us against the serpent that seduces us, makes us fall and then accuses us before God claiming us as his own. Michael was asked by the Lord to fight the devil and he helps us resist temptation on our earthly journey towards heaven.
Gabriel – another archangel we celebrate today – is the one who brings the good news; he’s the one who announced to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist and to Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus. Gabriel too accompanies us and helps us on our journey when we forget the Gospel. He reminds us that Jesus came to save us.
The third archangel we celebrate today is Raphael, he walks with us taking care of us on our journey and helping us not take the wrong step.
Michael, help us in the fight. Each of us knows what struggles we have in life today. Each one of us knows his or her main struggle, the one that threatens our salvation. Gabriel, bring us news, bring us the Good News of salvation, that Jesus is with us, Jesus has saved us, and He give us hope. Raphael, take us by the hand and help us on our journey.'
