Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of John (1: 47-51) in which Jesus says to Nathaniel, ‘you will see greater things… you will see heaven laid open, and above the Son of Man the angels of God ascending and descending’.
Fr Paul says today, as we hear in the Gospel of angels ascending and descending, we celebrate the lives of the St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael, Archangels. Firstly, Michael is mentioned in the book of the Apocalypse as the leader of the heavenly host. He is a patron saint of soldiers and police. Secondly, Gabriel appears in the book of Daniel to explain some of the prophet’s visions and Gabriel was also the bearer of the message of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thirdly, Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit. He is the angel who heals Tobit of his blindness and therefore his name actually means God heals. So today, Fr Paul invites us to pray ‘Saints Michael, Gabriel & Raphael……pray for us!’. Fr Paul also reminds us that today, September 29, is National Police Remembrance Day for Police Forces in Australia and the Pacific. It is a day when we honour all those who have fallen, those who have given their life in the service of the force, those who have been killed in the line of duty. We also remember all serving and retired officers, those who have been affected by their experiences as Police Officers. Fr Paul invites us to remember them in prayer today and to seek God’s blessings on them and their families, asking for St Michael’s constant protection as the Patron Saint of Police.
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