Overview:

The Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

A Reflection for the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

“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.” (Jn 1:50-51)

Find today’s readings here.

I was a fearful child, always distressed by depictions of violence and evil. When I was very small, I was frightened of fictional villains like Captain Hook, Darth Vader and the Wicked Witch of the West. But as I grew a little bit older, I developed anxiety about real dangers: house fires and illnesses and burglars and treacherous storms. 

I think my fearful nature was one of the reasons I became so captivated by angels, who I thought of as both immensely strong and holy. I would say the Angel of God Prayer every night before bed to help ease my anxiety and make me feel safe. The prayer reads: 

“Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day [or night] be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.”

I was observant enough to know that bad things happen. The dangers that scared me were real and possible. The only thing that truly comforted me was believing that other things were real and possible as well—things more powerful and more amazing than any one of my fears.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus demonstrates his omniscience to a man named Nathanael, revealing that he knows who the man is though the two have not previously met. Jesus says to him, “I saw you under the fig tree.” We don’t have details here about which fig tree Jesus might be talking about or why the moment in reference might be particularly important to Nathanael. But we do have Nathanael’s reaction—one of wonder at Christ’s divine sight. His heart is open, so this amazement quickly turns into fervent belief that Jesus is the son of God. 

Jesus expresses that his encounter is only a small glimpse of the miraculous things God is capable of. Jesus tells Nathanael, “You will see greater things than this…. You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” 

Heaven opened. Angels of God ascending and descending. It’s hard to imagine such things, much less believe them possible. 

But Jesus’ promise to Nathanael, like the Angel of God prayer, is not a mere story told to comfort a fearful child. It’s a reminder that God’s power is greater than anything we have ever known or even understand. A reminder that whatever we dare to believe is possible, God is capable of even more still. 

On this Feast of the Archangels, let us all keep our hearts open to the wonders of God that are miraculous beyond understanding, so that we, like Nathanael, may always be ready to believe.

Brigid McCabe is America’s assistant editor for digital strategy. She was previously a 2025-2026 O’Hare Fellow.