Sept. 29, 2026

Gospel Reflection:  The Ministry of the Archangels

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Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Today

  Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” John 1:47–49

Today we celebrate the only three heavenly spirits given names in Sacred Scripture: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. In Heaven, the angels are pure spirits with unique and eternal identities. The names given in Scripture reveal their particular missions to humanity. These three archangels reveal God’s power, presence, and mercy through their heavenly missions, carried out in perfect obedience to His will for the good of souls.

Michael means “Who is like God?” His name is a rhetorical question that reflects his role as the great defender of God’s glory against the pride of the devil. He cast Lucifer from Heaven and continues to defend the Church today.

Gabriel means “God is my strength” and is the herald of divine mysteries, most notably sent to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce the Incarnation of the Son of God. He strengthens those called to fulfill God’s plan, as he did with Mary and Zechariah.

Raphael means “God heals” and is the guide and healer in the Book of Tobit, sent to bring physical and spiritual restoration. His mission reveals God’s desire to accompany us on our journey, bringing healing to body and soul.

Today’s Gospel offers a profound insight into the role of angels in our lives and in the life of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. The passage recounts the call of Nathanael, who is identified with Bartholomew in the Synoptic Gospels. When Nathanael approaches Jesus at Philip’s invitation, Jesus immediately speaks a prophetic truth: “Here is a true child of Israel.”

On a deeper level, the True Child of Israel is Christ Himself—the Son of Man, born of David’s line, descended from the patriarch Jacob, whom God named Israel. In calling Nathanael a true child of Israel, Jesus reveals not only Nathanael’s current disposition of an open and sincere heart, but also what he would become. Over time, through his witness of Christ’s Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and his apostolic mission, Nathanael became truly united to Christ—transformed into one in whom Christ lived and acted.

Jesus continues: “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? 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” (John 1:50–51). This alludes to Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:12, in which he saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and down upon it.

That prophetic vision was fulfilled in Christ. The ladder is Christ Himself, the sole Mediator between Heaven and earth. Gabriel’s announcement of the Incarnation marks its beginning, and the angels’ ministry continues throughout Jesus’ earthly life, explicitly mentioned after His temptation in the desert and again during His Agony in the Garden. But the angelic ministry extends beyond Christ’s earthly life into the Church, His Body. Nathanael—and every member of the Church—shares in this mystical communion. Angels now ascend with our prayers and descend with God’s aid as we continue His saving mission.

Reflect today on the heavenly mystery that through Christ, Heaven is opened, and the angels of God continue their ministry among us at His command. Like Nathanael and all the saints who have gone before us, we are invited to rely on the angelic ministry as members of the Body of Christ. Call on Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael to guide, defend, and heal you as you walk this path of holiness in union with Christ.

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, defend, strengthen, and heal us as we continue our pilgrimage to Heaven. With Nathanael and all the saints, may we become true children of the Promise, living members of the Body of Christ. Continuously ascend with our prayers to Heaven and return to us with God’s aid, so that we may one day share fully in the life of Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.

Audio recording: https://youtu.be/Jl_Dks0o21Y?si=c2aUMGUc4PI-Dw2L