And if anyone says to you at that time, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “Look! There he is!”—do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be alert; I have already told you everything. ‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Mark 13:21-27
Today is Michaelmas, or the Feast of St. Michael and all angels. We celebrate the spiritual gifts of Michael, who won victory over evil and the protective power of angels. Whether you believe in angels or not, we can contemplate those times when nothing less than a spiritual intervention changed the course of our lives. We don't know why we made a choice that was unusual for us, or we strayed from our normal route, something intervened and our lives were changed. We humans think we are able to take the right path, yet there are spiritual guides, holy GPS, if you will, that lead us when we are lost and suffering. God's angels are with us, holding us, leading us and redirecting us, whether we like to admit it or not. May we lean into the gift of angels, for our protection, guidance and comfort today.
Wondrous Creator, make of all beings and times
you provide us with protectors and guardian angels
who guide us from our wildernesses to your home.
These times are fraught and full of rage and fear
we boast of knowing the answers as we wander
yet we cry out in the night for comfort and protection.
Help us, Lord, to trust you in every new challenge
give us eyes to see your saints and angels among us
and help us rejoice in the tender love you have for our world. Amen.
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