'They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.' Revelation 12:11
Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, a day that invites us to reflect on the mysterious and powerful presence of angels in our lives. Angels, as messengers of God, play a crucial role in the divine narrative, bridging the gap between heaven and earth. We are in some ways, perhaps well acquainted with angels. At least culturally speaking: We have TV series like “Touched by an Angel” “Highway to Heaven,” and films such as “It's a wonderful life”, plus a number of other books and movies, and even a song by Robbie Williams called “Angels.” We have angelic icons, from statues and stained-glass windows in many churches; and in America they have a Guardian Angel motorists’ club and a volunteer safety group called Guardian Angels that ride the subway system in New York. So, Angels are all around us, but just how biblical are these cultural images and uses? Scripturally speaking, an angel is a heavenly being which speaks and acts as an agent of God. The good angels are numerous and powerful, and they are ministering servants sent to help God's people in various ways. They are not to be worshiped, nor do we become angels when we die.
With all that I have just said, the question you have to ask yourselves is, this:- Do you believe in Angels? Do you believe that we all have a guardian angel watching over us? Have you ever seen an angel? Well, I have to tell you that they do exist, and I can confirm that because I stand before you as an Angel!! Yes, you heard me, I am an angel! And here is the evidence. My favourite aunty, great Aunty Dora (God rest her soul) had a habit of spotting angels, and when I was a young teenager and she was well into her seventies and with thrombosis in both legs; I would often go to their house, which had a coal fire and a coal cellar; she would often say to me: "Be an angel and fetch some coal from the cellar,” "Be an angel and empty the ashes into the bin." "Be an angel and pop to the shop for me.' So there you go, as a child I grew up knowing that I must be an angel!
Joking aside, in the Scriptures, we see angels fulfilling various roles. They are God’s companions in heaven, manifestations of His presence on earth, and distinct beings with specific missions. For instance, in the Book of Revelation, Michael and his angels wage war against the forces of evil, symbolizing the eternal struggle between good and evil. St. Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?”, is often depicted as a warrior, a protector of the faithful, and a defender against the powers of darkness. His victory over the dragon in Revelation is to remind us that no matter how formidable the challenges we face, with God’s help, we can overcome them too. Angels also bring messages of hope, strength, and healing. They appear in moments of doubt and fear, offering reassurance and guidance. Think of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, bringing the joyous news of Jesus’ birth, or the angels comforting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. People and things can become messengers of God to our souls. There is a quote from the he Hebrew scriptures we often use in Advent: 'Behold, am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me .’ That word, 'my messenger' is the same as for 'my angel."
If we look deeper, we can name some of God's angels to us - people whose kindness and care touches us when we're down or least expecting it; the work of an artist or poet or musician that lifts our spirits up; the delight of place, or flower, or sunset that speaks directly to our hearts; these are the angels of our souls. And then of course there are the heavenly Messengers of God, dwelling in heaven, who are often portrayed as a holy choir, a whiter than white army of goodness and power; winged and haloed, playing their heavenly music; forever standing by to worship God and to do his will. It’s all to be found in my absolute favourite hymn, which we had today:
Angel voices ever singing
Round thy throne of light,
Angels harps for ever ringing,
Rest not day nor night.
But it isn’t all harps, haloes and fluffy wings! God’s angels are imbued with God’s power as well. The Revelation reading directs us to something much more severe. The devil is expelled from heaven, and has settled on earth with his messengers of gloom and destruction on earth. All too familiar sadly, looking around the world as it is today! He’s driving people apart, setting nation against nation, culture against culture, religion against religion, neighbour against neighbour. The writer of Revelation anticipates in the story a time of appalling and unprecedented violence. How prophetic all that sounds to us as we see and read the news today. If ever there was a time for angels to exercise their God’s power, surely, it’s now? I guess people said that during the two world wars, and every conflict before and since. But we know from our scriptures that the day will come when Jesus and his Angels will return and wreak vengeance on the evil one and his army, a time when eternal peace will reign on earth. Sadly, that is for God to decide when, not us. There was a time past that evil could have ripped the young church apart - literally. There is much now that rips fullness of life apart for too many today, Christians and non-Christians alike. Devilish forces indeed abound. But take heart – there is good news – excellent news in fact; remembering the angels. Look again at the vision in Revelation. Yes, the devil is cast down to earth, but only because he is already defeated. The fury and rage of evil is so deep exactly because its power is already broken - these are the frustrated and terrorizing taunts of a beast whose power is already ebbing away, like some rabid dog. The very intensity of evil's rage is a sign that it is broken. The Cross and resurrection has overcome the worst that evil and sin could do. Satan, the accuser, is left with no accusation to make. And the angels of God carry the assurance of that to God's people; such as the women standing at the empty tomb; informing them that he is risen and overcome the power of death and hell.And we have created reminders of that power over death, e.g. that wonderful Epstein sculpture on the west-end of Coventry Cathedral – depicting Archangel Michael standing triumphant over Satan, bound and defeated. His angel companions bear the comfort and hope of that victory to those who feel evil's rage today.
So when all is gloom and hurt, look for messengers of hope and love, and if you can't because you're too far down, pray God that someone else will have the care and the sense to be an angel to you.an angel to bring life and colour and joy back to living; to open heaven to view, however fleetingly. There is more to the business of living than cold analysis and rationalism would allow. Messengers of God, messengers of grace, messengers of delightful living are about and among us. Let the beauty and tenderness and love and joy of God be seen. The God who cares for individuals, provides for them, guides them, and therefore employs messengers as angels to do it. The good news is…Rejoice! Keep alive your faith and angels will be seen, and if they sometimes look like all too ordinary people, don't be surprised. In scripture angels are often mistaken for people and you never know, you might be an angel yourself this week to someone who needs you. It’s worth quoting scripture again: Hebrews 13 v 2 “Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.” As we honour St. Michael and all angels today, let us remember that we are never alone. God’s messengers are always with us, guiding, protecting, and inspiring us to live lives of faith and courage. May we, like the angels, be messengers of God’s love and peace in the world. So when you leave this place, do as my dear Aunty Dora said…be an angel and do a kindness to someone! Amen (from Fr Peter).