Today we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
We also were to celebrate the School’s Diamond Jubilee but hurricane Helene changed the date until October 20. Sixty years ago, St. Raphael opened its doors to young students as an integral part of our parish life. A prize-winning teacher wrote: Anyone who embraces teaching as a vocation exercises considerable power to transform souls, to turn psyches away from the dark and toward the light. So our thanks to our teachers, administrators and staff. Yes, all of us are teachers, parents and singles, young and old. All have the power to transform souls by what they say and do, by how they live.
Today’s readings are from the Feast of the Archangels. But first a story. Not long ago, I was flying when the airplane hit heavy turbulence. I happened to be wearing my black suit with a white shirt and the person next to me grabbed my arm and asked: are you a priest? I said, yes. She then asked: you do believe in God? Of course. She sighed with relief. Thank God, she said, I’m sitting with someone in touch with the central office upstairs. And I replied, “Wait a minute.” I’m only in sales, not management.
That said, as we weather another hurricane, please remember those families who were especially affected by storm surges, high winds and power outages.
The Word of God highlights the role and significance of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael in the story of our salvation.
In the Book of Tobit, probably written in the 2nd century BC, Raphael reveals himself as Tobias’ guide to Sarah, and a healer of Tobit’s blindness. "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand and serve before the glory of the Lord." We might pray to Raphael for guidance and healing in our lives.
Turning to Revelation, the narrative shifts to a cosmic battle of Michael and his angels against the dragon and his angels. Angelic warfare highlights the ongoing struggle between good and evil. The victory of Michael reassures us of God's ultimate triumph over evil. It’s not always easy to remember that with so much global violence.
In John, the focus shifts again to Jesus as the true light. This passage underscores the connection between the archangels and Christ, as they serve to point us toward Christ. The archangel's actions reflect the divine light that dispels darkness, echoing the message of hope and salvation.
What especially caught my eye in John’s Gospel was Nathaniel. “There was no duplicity in him.” He was a man of good character.
Mahatma Gandhi, the great liberator of India in 1947, put it another way when he urged all to beware the danger of indifference to others, and especially the danger of “education without character.”
Yes, academic excellence is an essential ingredient of an education; and so too is moral character.
There is a difference between personality and character. Our personality on the surface puts us in a category – e.g. cheerful, or moody, or excitable, etc. Character, by contrast, is singular and defines who we are at the core of our inmost self.
Personality is emotional. Character is ethical. Personality is neither good nor evil. Character, by definition, is either good or evil. By character, one stands out from the crowd. At the same time, people of good character can attract others of good will and courage.
Few of us will be called to the courage involved in, say, rescuing a human being from a life-threatening situation. However, there is an everyday level of courage, to which all of us are called.
It manifests itself in the choices that each of us must make about the fundamental intellectual, moral and spiritual values by which we live.
I think of Paul Tillich’s book titled “The Courage to Be.” If we have the courage to find meaning in life, if we see ourselves and others as blessed briefly by earthly life and promised eternal life if true to our inner, best selves, we can overcome moments of anxiety that sneak up on us from time to time.
If we strive to choose excellence and quality over what is just enough to do a job, if we strive in our decisions, small and great, that affect our work, family and social life, even our leisure time, to choose on the basis of life’s lasting values, then ours will be truly a wonderful life.
May our prayer be to have the courage to stand on principle and an informed conscience. And remember: as Aristotle put it: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
A former student emailed to me a great “List to live by.” Here are seven tips:
The greatest joy............................................ Giving
The greatest "shot in the arm" ..................... Encouragement
The most contagious spirit........................... Enthusiasm
The two most power-filled words................ "I Can"
The greatest asset......................................... Faith
The most prized possession......................... Integrity
The most powerful communication............ Prayer
This is truly a list with heart!
