VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael help encourage and accompany Christians on life's journey and defend them from the devil, Pope Francis said.
While the three archangels serve the Lord and contemplate his glory, God also "sends them to accompany us on the road of life," the pope said in his homily at morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Sept. 29, the archangels' feast day.
They have "an important role in our journey toward salvation," he said. For instance, Michael has been tasked with waging war against the devil, who is a "nuisance in our life."
The devil seduces everyone, like he did Eve, with convincing arguments and temptations, the pope said.
"The Lord asks (Michael) to wage war," he said, and "Michael helps us wage war, to not be seduced."
"Michael helps us wage war, to not be seduced."
Gabriel, on the other hand, is the bearer of good news, the news of salvation. He, too, is with the people and helps when "we forget" the Gospel and forget that "Jesus came to be with us" to save us.
Raphael, the pope said, is the one who "walks with us," protecting people from the "seduction of taking the wrong step."
The pope asked that people pray: "Michael, help us in the fight; everyone knows what battle they are facing in their lives today. Every one of us knows the fundamental battle -- the one that puts salvation at risk. Help us.
"Gabriel, bring us news, bring us the Good News of salvation, that Jesus is with us, that Jesus has saved us, and give us hope," he continued. "Raphael, take us by the hand and help us on the journey to not go the wrong way, to not remain immobile, always walking, but helped by you."
Are you kidding me? How many fake deities can you pray to? How many fake deities DO NOT fulfill your prayers and yet you STILL think you are doing something useful?
Gee, wonder why the rest of the world looks at you like freaks
It is so much work to be an angry atheist. And I have noticed that atheists are often very angry at a God they don't believe in.
Mark, I'm sorry you are so filled with venom towards a God that you say doesn't exist. About angles let me say this bit. Angles can assume any form to accomplish a Divine Plan. Take St. John Bosco who cut seriously into Organized Crime of his day in the sexual exploitation of children, by gathering the kids off the streets, schooling them and looking after their needs and in so doing cut into the profits of the children sex-trade, infuriating those with criminal intent, to the point where they plotted to kill John Bosco. One night on the way home on a dark street John became aware of some thugs following at a distance. He prayed for the Lord's protection and out of nowhere a fierce-looking large black dog began walking next to John. The thugs frightened by what they saw slipped away into the darkness and John arrived home safely. Later the Saint claimed in answer to his prayer for protection God sent his Guardian Angel in the form of that fierce-looking black dog. This story probably enrages your demons within, but I hope your fire and brimstone stirred will ignite enough light for you to say, "interesting! Wonder if this could be true." If this happen you will open a door into your heart to consider the possibility that maybe all this "God-stuff" may be true. Of course you could refuse to cooperate with the Grace of the moment and continue t o be as you are. But don't count God out - He'll try again! We may give up on God, but God never gives up on us! He'll smell us out - He recognizes the smell of His sheep and as a Good Shepherd He'll lovingly say, "Gotcha!"