Welcome everyone to our annual Mass on the Tybee Pier in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, our patron saint, and a Special welcome to Mother Olga and the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth! They have been with us all this week on an evangelization mission and parish mission. It has been a wonderful gift to have these holy sisters with us!
There is something very powerful and very beautiful about the ocean. It is one of God’s most magnificent creations. It was given to us by God for many reasons: to feed us, to enjoy, to give us relaxation, to inspire us spiritually, to protect as good stewards…but also to respect because of its power. We must be aware of the power of the ocean and have an appropriate and prudent fear. Every year, some people come to the ocean without this prudent fear and lose their lives. We are all only too aware of this power potential, one week after enduring yet another hurricane.
There is something else which God has created which is likewise very powerful and very beautiful, the holy angels. Each angel is created for a specific purpose within the cosmos. Angels are pure spiritual beings created by God, naturally invisible to the human eye, but all around us and constantly carrying out the tasks God has given them. We don’t know the names of many angels or archangels, but Scripture gives us a few names which are very descriptive of their purpose. Gabriel means “God’s messenger.” Rafael means “God has healed.” And Michael, St. Michael the Archangel, means “He who is like God.” Or “He who is the most like God.” St. Michael is the head of all the angels and the leader in battle against Satan and all evil. And Lucifer means “bearer of light” or “morning star.”
Different saints and doctors of the Church have tried to categorize the different choirs (or ranks) of angels through the last 2,000 years but they do not all agree with one another. St. Thomas Aquinas, who wrote so much about the angels that he is called “The Angelic Doctor”, believed that different degrees of intelligence classified the angels. The angels do not all have the same degree of likeness to God. Some participate in or reflect the divine perfections more than others. Therefore, according to St. Thomas, angels belong to different choirs according to their intelligence and their place in God’s plan. If this analysis is correct, “He who is the most like God” is the angel with the greatest intelligence…and the greatest place in God’s plan: St. Michael, the Archangel.
The ocean is very powerful, very beautiful and very dangerous. So, it is with the angels. But the ocean was made for us, the human race, and we are to care for it. Angels were made in the image and likeness of God for their own sake, and they take care for us. They will be with us in Heaven, or rather, we will be with them.
Why did I write that angels are dangerous? Because there is a spiritual battle raging around us, and it is imperative that be aware of it. St. Paul writes:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12)
Angels are dangerous because some angels are evil. The Bible describes the beginning of a great battle when Lucifer (certainly one of the highest and most beautiful angels) revolted against God.
Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time.” (Revelation)
I am so proud to be the pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. There is a spiritual battle raging around us. Jesus has risen from the dead and the gates of Heaven are open. But we need the help of St. Michael and all the good angels in this battle.
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!
Fr. Brett Brannen
Pastor