MP: Psalms 8, 148; Job 38:1-7; Hebrews 1:1-14EP: Psalms 24, 150 or 104; Daniel 12:1-3 or 2 Kings 6:8-17; Mark 13:21-27 or Revelation 5:1-14
Holy Women, Holy Men tells us about today's feast day, saying in part: Of the many angels spoken of in the Bible, only four are called by name: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael. The Archangel Michael is the powerful agent of God who wards off evil from God's people and delivers peace to them at the end of this life's mortal struggle. "Michaelmas," as his feast is called in England, has long been one of the popular celebrations of the Christian Year in many parts of the world.
Our MP reading from Job has God saying "out of the whirlwind: 'Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?' " And our MP selection from Hebrews has the phrase utilized in a number of our Eucharistic Prayers: "in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son." Our EP reading contains Jesus' warning in Mark to not be taken in by false prophets warning of "the end" for Jesus has already told us all we need to know.
As we live "in these last days" and so many of us "darken counsel by words without knowledge" perhaps we are called upon today to reflect on our own motivations for doing the things that we are doing. Are we helping to create God's Kingdom Jesus opens for us by his life's ministry, mission and sacrifice? How are we utilizing the fleeting time we have been gifted here? Whose purposes are we serving?
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Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.
Photo: Jason & Brett's Reception, 2011.
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