God our Father,
in a wonderful way you guide the work of angels and men.
May those who serve you constantly in heaven
keep our lives safe from all harm on earth.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(from the Christian prayer book, Liturgy of the Hours, for September 29, Feast day of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels).
Important! Be sure to notice that this prayer is directed to God, not to the angels. Anything and everything that angels do to assist humans is at the behest of God and God alone.
Showing posts with label Angel Raphael. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Angel Raphael. Show all posts
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Bible Reading: Tobit 5:4-8 (aka Tobias)
Tobiah went to look for someone acquainted with the roads who would travel with him to Media.
As soon as he went out, he found the angel Raphael standing before him, though he did not know that this was an angel of God.
Tobiah said to him, "Who are you, young man?" He replied, "I am an Israelite, one of your kinsmen. I have come here to work." Tobiah said, "Do you know the way to Media?"
The other replied: "Yes, I have been there many times. I know the place well and I know all the routes. I have often traveled to Media; I used to stay with our kinsman Gabael, who lives at Rages in Media. It is a good two days' travel from Ecbatana to Rages, for Rages is situated at the mountains, Ecbatana out on the plateau."
Tobiah said to him, "Wait for me, young man, till I go back and tell my father; for I need you to make the journey with me. I will, of course, pay you."
Raphael replied, "Very well, I will wait for you; but do not be long."
***
This reading relates the first meeting of Tobiah, son of the blind Tobit, with the archangel Raphael. Only three archangels are mentioned by name in the scriptures: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Each of the archangels fulfill different missions on behalf of God. Gabriel speaks for God. Michael works with the powerful on earth to thwart the objectives of Satan, and also human beings' own sin, weakness and wickedness. Raphael assumed the identity of a specific human in order to provide a testimony of faith within an actual family through his intervention on the behest of God and working of miracles through the faith of Tobiah who accepts the instruction of Raphael without even knowing he was an archangel sent by God.
Thus God sent Raphael to accompany Tobiah, appearing as a human, for a while, so that Raphael could show Tobiah how to alleviate the suffering of several faithful who were severely afflicted by both worldly events (his father's blindness who suffered business reversals and persecution, and who is the author of this book of the Bible) and the influence of a demon (who afflicted the woman who would become the wife of Tobiah).
Some who read this book err in two opposite opinions. One extreme is to think this book is not historical because it contains many techniques of storytelling, including maxims of wisdom and piety, and links to folklore. That is an error because the events in this book did take place, and the author was inspired by the Holy Spirit to put the events into a story context that all could understand. The other extreme is non-believers who hear about this book and the visit by Raphael and thus conclude that this is "evidence" that "step in's" (occultists' phrase to describe possession) occurs regularly by "angels" or "aliens" or whatever. How they go from one example in one family in one situation to thinking this book validates their nutty and dangerous ideas is beyond me, but that is the temptation and weakness of human false prophets.
Anyway, you can trust that what is in this book is true, did actually happen, and did so that one and only time in order to leave a testimony of how God wants people to work through problems using their own hands, based on faith and inspiration. Thus Raphael gives to Tobiah all the knowledge that he needs to expel the demon and cure his father, pointing out to him the things he must do, but allowing Tobiah to do them himself through his own faith, all the while not knowing he is being guided by an angel until Raphael reveals his identity at the end of his mission with Tobiah.
By the way, here is the interesting history of the documentation of this book, as explained in my NAB Catholic Bible Personal Study Edition:
Written in Aramaic, the original of the book was lost for centuries.
The Greek translation, existing in three different recensions, is our primary source.
In 1955, fragments of the book in Aramaic and in Hebrew were recovered from Cave IV at Qumran.
These texts are in substantial agreement with the Greek recension that has served as the basis for the present translation.
In other words, there were only three examples of this book in existance, all of them in Greek (and thus they were ancient translations of the original, which was lost). Biblical scholars trusted in the Greek translations that existed and their trust was rewarded by finding fragments of the older versions (in Aramaic and Hebrew), thus finding that the latter Greek was accurate and true to the original writing of this book. That must have been a great moment for the Biblical scholars involved in this discovery, part of the decades long research into what is called the "Dead Sea Scrolls." I am old enough to remember the incredible excitement when they were discovered, validating entire books of the Bible.
Here's a good general information link on the Qumran location:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qumran
September 29 is the Feast Day of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels.
Come, let us worship the Lord in the company of his angels.
Let us join the angels in praising the Lord, as the cherubim and seraphim sing: Holy, holy, holy.
Angels of the Lord, sing praise to the Lord forever.
All the angels in heaven praise you, O Lord, and with one voice they say: To you we owe our hymn of praise, O God.
Truly I say to you: You will see the heavens open up, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
You commanded your angels to guard us in all our ways
-keep us from sin as you lead us in your path this day.
Father, the angels stand for ever before your face,
-nourish in us a never-failing hope of coming at last into your presence.
Your children will be like the angels in heaven,
-grant us chastity in both mind and body.
Send Michael, the prince of the heavenly hosts, to the aid of your people.
Your majesty is praised above the heavens, O King of the angels.
From the hand of the angel incense rose
-in the presence of the Lord.
(selections from the Christian Prayer book, Liturgy of the Hours, for this day).
As soon as he went out, he found the angel Raphael standing before him, though he did not know that this was an angel of God.
Tobiah said to him, "Who are you, young man?" He replied, "I am an Israelite, one of your kinsmen. I have come here to work." Tobiah said, "Do you know the way to Media?"
The other replied: "Yes, I have been there many times. I know the place well and I know all the routes. I have often traveled to Media; I used to stay with our kinsman Gabael, who lives at Rages in Media. It is a good two days' travel from Ecbatana to Rages, for Rages is situated at the mountains, Ecbatana out on the plateau."
Tobiah said to him, "Wait for me, young man, till I go back and tell my father; for I need you to make the journey with me. I will, of course, pay you."
Raphael replied, "Very well, I will wait for you; but do not be long."
***
This reading relates the first meeting of Tobiah, son of the blind Tobit, with the archangel Raphael. Only three archangels are mentioned by name in the scriptures: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Each of the archangels fulfill different missions on behalf of God. Gabriel speaks for God. Michael works with the powerful on earth to thwart the objectives of Satan, and also human beings' own sin, weakness and wickedness. Raphael assumed the identity of a specific human in order to provide a testimony of faith within an actual family through his intervention on the behest of God and working of miracles through the faith of Tobiah who accepts the instruction of Raphael without even knowing he was an archangel sent by God.
Thus God sent Raphael to accompany Tobiah, appearing as a human, for a while, so that Raphael could show Tobiah how to alleviate the suffering of several faithful who were severely afflicted by both worldly events (his father's blindness who suffered business reversals and persecution, and who is the author of this book of the Bible) and the influence of a demon (who afflicted the woman who would become the wife of Tobiah).
Some who read this book err in two opposite opinions. One extreme is to think this book is not historical because it contains many techniques of storytelling, including maxims of wisdom and piety, and links to folklore. That is an error because the events in this book did take place, and the author was inspired by the Holy Spirit to put the events into a story context that all could understand. The other extreme is non-believers who hear about this book and the visit by Raphael and thus conclude that this is "evidence" that "step in's" (occultists' phrase to describe possession) occurs regularly by "angels" or "aliens" or whatever. How they go from one example in one family in one situation to thinking this book validates their nutty and dangerous ideas is beyond me, but that is the temptation and weakness of human false prophets.
Anyway, you can trust that what is in this book is true, did actually happen, and did so that one and only time in order to leave a testimony of how God wants people to work through problems using their own hands, based on faith and inspiration. Thus Raphael gives to Tobiah all the knowledge that he needs to expel the demon and cure his father, pointing out to him the things he must do, but allowing Tobiah to do them himself through his own faith, all the while not knowing he is being guided by an angel until Raphael reveals his identity at the end of his mission with Tobiah.
By the way, here is the interesting history of the documentation of this book, as explained in my NAB Catholic Bible Personal Study Edition:
Written in Aramaic, the original of the book was lost for centuries.
The Greek translation, existing in three different recensions, is our primary source.
In 1955, fragments of the book in Aramaic and in Hebrew were recovered from Cave IV at Qumran.
These texts are in substantial agreement with the Greek recension that has served as the basis for the present translation.
In other words, there were only three examples of this book in existance, all of them in Greek (and thus they were ancient translations of the original, which was lost). Biblical scholars trusted in the Greek translations that existed and their trust was rewarded by finding fragments of the older versions (in Aramaic and Hebrew), thus finding that the latter Greek was accurate and true to the original writing of this book. That must have been a great moment for the Biblical scholars involved in this discovery, part of the decades long research into what is called the "Dead Sea Scrolls." I am old enough to remember the incredible excitement when they were discovered, validating entire books of the Bible.
Here's a good general information link on the Qumran location:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qumran
September 29 is the Feast Day of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels.
Come, let us worship the Lord in the company of his angels.
Let us join the angels in praising the Lord, as the cherubim and seraphim sing: Holy, holy, holy.
Angels of the Lord, sing praise to the Lord forever.
All the angels in heaven praise you, O Lord, and with one voice they say: To you we owe our hymn of praise, O God.
Truly I say to you: You will see the heavens open up, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
You commanded your angels to guard us in all our ways
-keep us from sin as you lead us in your path this day.
Father, the angels stand for ever before your face,
-nourish in us a never-failing hope of coming at last into your presence.
Your children will be like the angels in heaven,
-grant us chastity in both mind and body.
Send Michael, the prince of the heavenly hosts, to the aid of your people.
Your majesty is praised above the heavens, O King of the angels.
From the hand of the angel incense rose
-in the presence of the Lord.
(selections from the Christian Prayer book, Liturgy of the Hours, for this day).
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Biblical description of angel Raphael
There's a post on Crossed the Tiber blog about allegations by some Protestants that the Catholic bible includes books that are somehow invalid, and that they were added in the 16th century. Here's a passage from a very excellent book that refutes this misperception:
For the Old Testament, the final decision as to which books make up the complete canon, and to which books make up the complete canon, and to which no further books may be added, came only slowly through a long period of time. Nor has it been an easy question to deal with, because Protestants, Jews and Catholics disagree on what should be included. The Jewish canon, later taken over by the Protestants, contains only thirty-nine books, all written in Hebrew or Aramaic languages, and all discussed and accepted by the rabbis, the Jewish religious leaders, in the first century A.D. or shortly after. On the other hand, for the Catholic Bible, the canon contains forty-six books, seven beyond the thirty-nine in Hebrew. These forty-six books were first listed as the canon by local church councils in North Africa in the fourth century: at Hippo in 393, and at Carthage in 397 and 417 A.D. But they were not given solemn approval by the Church until the Council of Trent in April of 1546, although they had been accepted as binding practice from the time of the fourth century decisions. From the book "Reading the Old Testament" by Lawrence Boadt, 1984, Paulist Press, pp 16-17.
One of the books that is included in the Catholic bible but not the Protestant bible is the book of Tobias. From my bible here is an introduction to Tobias: This Book is named after the holy man, whose history is here recorded. Though led into captivity, he distinguished himself by his unwavering faith in God, his observance of the Law, and his heroic charity towards his neighbor. Afflicted with blindness he manifested exemplary patience and extraordinary resignation to the will of God. To reward his virtue, God sent the angel Raphael to restore his sight, for which favor he failed not to thank and glorify god. The Book records much also concerning the virtues of the younger Tobias his son, especially his respect for his parents and the holy dispositions, with which he entered upon marriage.
If you have ever been curious about what angels are really "like" do read the book of Tobias. The angel Raphael in human form accompanies the young Tobias on a quest on behalf of his father over a period of several years. It is toward the end of their journey and return to Tobias' father that Raphael identifies himself as the angel Raphael "one of the seven who stand before the Lord." This is the only book in the bible where the reader is able to "look over the shoulder" of a bona fide angel of God as he moves in human form among humankind and performs God's will. I've often thought with all the curiosity about angels, how sad it is that such a great account is left out of the Protestant bible, and is somewhat little known among Catholics too, though it's there to read. It's a wonderful family story (even the family dog has a moving encounter) and I encourage everyone to read it anew, and to share it with your children as a bible story.
For the Old Testament, the final decision as to which books make up the complete canon, and to which books make up the complete canon, and to which no further books may be added, came only slowly through a long period of time. Nor has it been an easy question to deal with, because Protestants, Jews and Catholics disagree on what should be included. The Jewish canon, later taken over by the Protestants, contains only thirty-nine books, all written in Hebrew or Aramaic languages, and all discussed and accepted by the rabbis, the Jewish religious leaders, in the first century A.D. or shortly after. On the other hand, for the Catholic Bible, the canon contains forty-six books, seven beyond the thirty-nine in Hebrew. These forty-six books were first listed as the canon by local church councils in North Africa in the fourth century: at Hippo in 393, and at Carthage in 397 and 417 A.D. But they were not given solemn approval by the Church until the Council of Trent in April of 1546, although they had been accepted as binding practice from the time of the fourth century decisions. From the book "Reading the Old Testament" by Lawrence Boadt, 1984, Paulist Press, pp 16-17.
One of the books that is included in the Catholic bible but not the Protestant bible is the book of Tobias. From my bible here is an introduction to Tobias: This Book is named after the holy man, whose history is here recorded. Though led into captivity, he distinguished himself by his unwavering faith in God, his observance of the Law, and his heroic charity towards his neighbor. Afflicted with blindness he manifested exemplary patience and extraordinary resignation to the will of God. To reward his virtue, God sent the angel Raphael to restore his sight, for which favor he failed not to thank and glorify god. The Book records much also concerning the virtues of the younger Tobias his son, especially his respect for his parents and the holy dispositions, with which he entered upon marriage.
If you have ever been curious about what angels are really "like" do read the book of Tobias. The angel Raphael in human form accompanies the young Tobias on a quest on behalf of his father over a period of several years. It is toward the end of their journey and return to Tobias' father that Raphael identifies himself as the angel Raphael "one of the seven who stand before the Lord." This is the only book in the bible where the reader is able to "look over the shoulder" of a bona fide angel of God as he moves in human form among humankind and performs God's will. I've often thought with all the curiosity about angels, how sad it is that such a great account is left out of the Protestant bible, and is somewhat little known among Catholics too, though it's there to read. It's a wonderful family story (even the family dog has a moving encounter) and I encourage everyone to read it anew, and to share it with your children as a bible story.
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