This week’s reading reinforces the necessity of devotion to St. Michael the Archangel in every Christian’s life.
As the Church Militant, we are engaged in constant spiritual warfare.
As Ephesians 6:12 states “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers…”, truly, our battle is not against fellow brothers and sisters, but rather, against the Devil and the fallen angels. This battle is for the salvation of souls. Therefore, it is only wise for us to equip ourselves with the necessary weapons.
Heaven has given us many spiritual weapons to take up against the battle, such as the Holy Eucharist, the Holy Rosary, and of course, St. Michael.
St. Michael is known as the “Prince of the Heavenly Hosts” and the Chief Commander of the Holy Angels. As the book of Revelations tells, he had led the army of Holy Angels in the war against Lucifer and the fallen angels, and had cast them out of Heaven when they rebelled against God. Therefore, he is a powerful angel to turn to, to seek his protection against the attacks of the Devil.
In fact, on 13 October 1884, Pope Leo XIII had a vision of the Lord and the Devil after he had celebrated Holy Mass. He heard the Devil boast to the Lord that he could destroy His Church, to which the Lord told him to go ahead. The Devil then asked the Lord for more time and more power - asking for 75 to 100 years, and a greater power over those who were willing to give themselves to the service of the Devil. Our Lord gave him the time and the power.
Immediately after the vision, Pope Leo XIII composed the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, which was to be prayed after every mass, before the Second Vatican Council changed this rule. Nevertheless, Pope Saint John Paul II has urged all Catholics to never cease reciting this prayer to combat against the darkness of the world.
In the 100 years that the Devil has been given more power over the world, we can see the rise of many evils. The two major world wars occurred. The rise of communism and atheism. The sexual revolution and growing acceptance of promiscuity. Immodest fashion. Abortion becoming legalized and pushed for. Promotion of euthanasia. The attack on families. These evils, although mostly started in the twentieth century, have spilled its effects over onto the twenty-first century which we are living in today.
Therefore, as Christians, and as legionaries under the Army of Mary, we must strive to be good Catholics. We must strive for Holiness. We must be the salt of the earth and light of the world, as Jesus had said in Matthew 5:13. To do that, we must put on the armour of God to battle against the evils and darkness of the world – and St. Michael is the excellent angel to turn to. He fought for God. He cried out in great indignation at Lucifer’s pride and disobedience, “Who is like unto God?”. He was most humble before the Lord. He accepted the Lord’s will, and serves faithfully beneath the Lord and Our Lady.
Like St. Michael, may we fight the good fight to the end, run the race to the finish, and keep the faith always, under Our Lady's protection.
St. Michael, pray for us and protect us from the snares and temptations of the Devil. Obtain for us the Grace to love Jesus and to defend the Church as you did, Amen!
Allocated work is to share and pray the St. Michael Prayer with someone, and to reflect on his role in our faith. God bless.
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