Spiritual Connections

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels, invite us to reflect on the direction we have welcomed on our journey from our spiritual connection to reality beyond the perception of our human senses.

Spiritual Inspiration

In the Book of Daniel the coming Kingdom of God is represented by a human figure.

* [7:9–10] A vision of the heavenly throne of God (the Ancient of Days), who sits in judgment over the nations. Some of the details of the vision, depicting the divine majesty and omnipotence, are to be found in Ezekiel 1. Others are paralleled in 1 Enoch, a contemporary Jewish apocalypse.

* [7:13–14] One like a son of man: In contrast to the worldly kingdoms opposed to God, which are represented as grotesque beasts, the coming Kingdom of God is represented by a human figure. Scholars disagree as to whether this figure should be taken as a collective symbol for the people of God (cf. 7:27) or identified as a particular individual, e.g., the archangel Michael (cf. 12:1) or the messiah. The phrase “Son of Man” becomes a title for Jesus in the gospels, especially in passages dealing with the Second Coming (Mk 13 and parallels). (Daniel, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Reading from the Book of Revelation, Michael wins a victory over the dragon.

* [12:7–12] Michael, mentioned only here in Revelation, wins a victory over the dragon. A hymn of praise follows.

* [12:7] Michael: the archangel, guardian and champion of Israel; cf. Dn 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9. In Hebrew, the name Michael means “Who can compare with God?”; cf. Rev 13:4.

* [12:9] The ancient serpent: who seduced Eve (Gn 3:1–6), mother of the human race; cf. Rev 20:2; Eph 6:11–12. Was thrown down: allusion to the expulsion of Satan from heaven; cf. Lk 10:18.

* [12:10] The accuser: the meaning of the Hebrew word “Satan,” found in Rev 12:9; Jb 1–2; Zec 3:1; 1 Chr 21:1; he continues to accuse Christ’s disciples. (Revelation, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 138 is a thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist.

* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8).

* [138:1] In the presence of the angels: heavenly beings who were completely subordinate to Israel’s God. The earthly Temple represents the heavenly palace of God. (Psalms, PSALM 138 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares Nathanael is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.

* [1:47] A true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him: Jacob was the first to bear the name “Israel” (Gn 32:29), but Jacob was a man of duplicity (Gn 27:35–36).

* [1:48] Under the fig tree: a symbol of messianic peace (cf. Mi 4:4; Zec 3:10).

* [1:49] Son of God: this title is used in the Old Testament, among other ways, as a title of adoption for the Davidic king (2 Sm 7:14; Ps 2:7; 89:27), and thus here, with King of Israel, in a messianic sense. For the evangelist, Son of God also points to Jesus’ divinity (cf. Jn 20:28).

* [1:50] Possibly a statement: “You [singular] believe because I saw you under the fig tree.”

* [1:51] The double “Amen” is characteristic of John. You is plural in Greek. The allusion is to Jacob’s ladder (Gn 28:12). (John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mike Cherney comments that in Catholic tradition, the angels who remained faithful to God chose Him freely. Their example reminds me that faith is not merely accepting a list of beliefs. It is a continual choice to trust God.

Ultimately, this feast reminds me that creation is larger and more mysterious than I often allow myself to remember. I am a scientist who is brought to a new humility: I do not have to understand everything to believe that God is at work. In a world that often tells me to trust only what I can see, I am called to look beyond the visible. That is the focus of my prayer today.

Dear Lord, Help me to grow in Your trust. 

Open my heart to Your presence. 

May this feast day remind me to look beyond the visible. 

May it guide me on the path that brings me closer to You. 

May it help transform me into an agent of Your kingdom.

Amen. (Cherney, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “The Lord of Angels,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"Do you see how he [Jesus] leads him [Nathanael] up little by little from the earth and causes him no longer to imagine him as merely a man? For one to whom angels minister and on whom angels ascend and descend, how could he be a man? This is why he said, 'You shall see greater things than these.' And to prove this, he introduces the ministry of angels. What he means is something like this: Does this, O Nathanael, seem to you a great matter, and have you for this confessed me to be King of Israel? What then will you say when you see 'angels ascending and descending on me'? He persuades him by these words to receive him as Lord also of the angels. For on him as on the king's own son, the royal ministers ascended and descended, once at the season of the crucifixion, again at the time of the resurrection and the ascension, and before this also, when they 'came and ministered to him' (Matthew 4:11). They also ascended and descended when they proclaimed the good news of his birth and cried, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace' (Luke 2:14), when they came to Mary and also when they came to Joseph... Our Lord made the present a proof of the future. After the powers he had already shown, Nathanael would readily believe that much more would follow." (excerpt from the Homilies On the Gospel of John 21.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winker comments on the texts for today. In Daniel 7, the “Ancient of Days” is an image of God in all his glory. Daniel calls for a “Son of Man”, probably referring to the People of Israel. They will win in the end if they hold on to God. Satan is defeated by the Archangel Michael and his angels. Michael battles in heaven and defeats the “evil one”. The “accuser of our brothers” at the last judgment refers to when the “strict justice” of Satan meets the Compassion of God. Jabob, one of the sons of Isaac, is “the deceiver" until he wrestled with God and became Israel. Jesus saw Nathanel under a fig tree where he was wrestling with God and striving to know who God is. Jesus declares “you will see greater things “ than Jacob at Bethel where he dreamed the ladder to heaven. Friar Jude comments that Nathaniel came to meet God and know Him.

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 1:47-51 comments that for a well-known angelic messenger, Gabriel’s name means “God is my strength.” He appeared to Zechariah and Mary to foretell the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. He testified to God’s coming in the flesh when he said, “The Lord is with you” and to the strength that God offers to his people when he said, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 1:28, 13). Gabriel reminds us that God is present and at work. He can help us lift our eyes to our God who is with us and who will build up strength within us (Psalm 138:3).

Raphael’s name means “God is a healer.” Raphael brought hope to blind Tobit when he proclaimed, “Take courage! God’s healing is near!” (Tobit 5:10). He guided Tobit’s son, Tobias, on his journey; delivered Tobias’ wife, Sarah, from a demon; and restored Tobit’s sight (6:4-9; 8:2-9; 11:7-15). Raphael shows us that God hears our prayers for healing and wholeness.

So remember the archangels and their messages! Trust that through them, God fights for you, he strengthens you, and he offers you healing. The angels will bring you grace from heaven today, where they are “ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:51).

“Thank you, Lord, for caring for me through your angels!” (Meditation on John 1:47-51, 2026)

Father Richard Rohr introduces author Gina Loehr who describes how God’s love empowered Thérèse of Lisieux to embrace the fullness of her own humanity and that of others.

For Thérèse, love of God and love of the other is of one piece. Thérèse came to an important realization when reflecting on First Corinthians 13, which explains that all the greatest gifts are nothing without love.

 

From her youth Thérèse loved Jesus with her whole heart, and she never regretted it. In addition to bringing her personal consolation, this love helped her grow in her relationships with others. She understood that when we give ourselves to God, our hearts don’t lose their natural tenderness, rather that tenderness increases as our hearts become purer and more divine. Thérèse wrote, “In loving Him the heart expands and can give to those who are dear to it incomparably more tenderness than if it had concentrated upon one egotistical and unfruitful love.” [3]

Loving God enriches not only our experience of human love but also our experience of life. Thérèse was able to see the gifts of her Beloved surrounding her. She was passionately engaged in life. She loved to explore nature and absorb the beauties of creation…. The love overflowing from her heart spilled out in her many poems and plays. Her love for God energized her daily life. She lived as a woman in love: joyful, enthusiastic, smiling. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to guide our understanding of spiritual reality beyond what we can perceive with our five human senses that is realized in our mystical connection to the Divine.

References

Cherney, M. (2026, September 29). Daily Reflection September 29, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-29-2026 

Daniel, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/7?9 

John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?47 

Meditation on John 1:47-51. (2026, September 29). The Word Among Us. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/29/1680103/ 

Psalms, PSALM 138 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138?1 

Revelation, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/12? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Empowered by Love. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/empowered-by-love/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Will See the Angels of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Martyrs amid Modern Times

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Feast of ST. JEAN DE BRÉBEUF and ST. ISAAC JOGUES and Companions in Canada invite us to reflect on martyrs and modern circumstances.

Modern Martyrs for Creation

The Reading from the Book of Revelation proclaims Triumph of the Elect.

* [7:9] White robes,palm branches: symbols of joy and victory; see note on Rev 3:5.

* [7:10] Salvation comes from: literally, “(let) salvation (be ascribed) to.” A similar hymn of praise is found at the fall of the dragon (Rev 12:10) and of Babylon (Rev 19:1).

* [7:14] Time of great distress: fierce persecution by the Romans; cf. Introduction.

* [7:17] Life-giving water: literally, “the water of life,” God’s grace, which flows from Christ; cf. Rev 21:6; 22:1, 17; Jn 4:10, 14. (Revelation, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians presents The Paradox of the Ministry.

* [4:7] This treasure: the glory that he preaches and into which they are being transformed. In earthen vessels: the instruments God uses are human and fragile; some imagine small terracotta lamps in which light is carried.

* [4:8–9] A catalogue of his apostolic trials and afflictions. Yet in these the negative never completely prevails; there is always some experience of rescue, of salvation.

* [4:10–11] Both the negative and the positive sides of the experience are grounded christologically. The logic is similar to that of 2 Cor 1:3–11. His sufferings are connected with Christ’s, and his deliverance is a sign that he is to share in Jesus’ resurrection.

* [4:12–15] His experience does not terminate in himself, but in others (12, 15; cf. 2 Cor 1:4–5). Ultimately, everything is ordered even beyond the community, toward God (2 Cor 4:15; cf. 2 Cor 1:11).

* [4:13–14] Like the Psalmist, Paul clearly proclaims his faith, affirming life within himself despite death (2 Cor 4:10–11) and the life-giving effect of his experience upon the church (2 Cor 4:12, 14–15). And place us with you in his presence: Paul imagines God presenting him and them to Jesus at the parousia and the judgment; cf. 2 Cor 11:2; Rom 14:10. (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims The Conditions of Discipleship.

* [9:23] Daily: this is a Lucan addition to a saying of Jesus, removing the saying from a context that envisioned the imminent suffering and death of the disciple of Jesus (as does the saying in Mk 8:34–35) to one that focuses on the demands of daily Christian existence.

(Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John implies that through his death Jesus will be accessible to all.

* [12:24] This verse implies that through his death Jesus will be accessible to all. It remains just a grain of wheat: this saying is found in the synoptic triple and double traditions (Mk 8:35; Mt 16:25; Lk 9:24; Mt 10:39; Lk 17:33). John adds the phrases (Jn 12:25) in this world and for eternal life.

* [12:25] His life: the Greek word psychē refers to a person’s natural life. It does not mean “soul,” for Hebrew anthropology did not postulate body/soul dualism in the way that is familiar to us.(John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The scapegoat foreshadowed Christ's passion”, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)

"The mystery of the passion may be seen also in another instance. According to the Mosaic law, two goats were offered. They were not different in any way from one another (Leviticus 16:7-8), but they were alike in size and appearance. Of these, one was called 'the lord,' and the other was called 'sent-away.' When the lot was cast for the one called 'lord,' it was sacrificed. The other one was sent away from the sacrifice, and therefore had the name of 'sent-away.' Who was signified by this? The Word, though he was God, was in our likeness and took the form of us sinners, as far as the nature of the flesh was concerned. The male or female goat was sacrificed for sins. Death was our desert, for we had fallen under the divine curse because of sin. When the Savior of all undertook the responsibility, he transferred to himself what was due to us and laid down his life, that we might be sent away from death and destruction."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 53) (Schwager, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rabbi Amy Eilberg who acknowledges the daily commitment required to make peace in ourselves, among others, and in the world.

Peacebuilding practice is an expression of spiritual virtues valued in most religious traditions, such as kindness, compassion, gentleness, generosity, patience, and respect for all people…. [1]

It is as simple and as challenging as this. The desire for the well-being of all people is what moves us to work for peace, and this same desire makes it possible for us to care for all people in any conflict. Though we may be more connected to one “side” or more inclined toward one viewpoint in the dispute, on a deeper level, we sense a bond of common humanity with everyone involved. We want what is best for all of them. Like a parent responding to estrangement among her children, she wants for all of them to be happy, for all of them to thrive, for all of them to be free of the pain of ruptured relationships…. The more of us adopt this goal as an intention for our lives, the more peace and harmony there will be in the world. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the action we may have to consider to be true to our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.

References

John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9 

Revelation, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/7 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Nonviolence: A Christian Calling: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/nonviolence-a-christian-calling-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Were Astonished at the Majesty of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/? 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/4