A history of St Michael and the Devil

Here is the short version of how St Michael came to be the prince of all the angels and how the Devin rebelled against God. This is from the Church's ancient Tradition and is attested to by many of the Fathers of the Church and other Saints and is also biblically sound. This is the Catholic view.

So Michael was the Angel that opposed Lucifer when he rebelled. Michael defensed God's honor by glorifying God hence Michael means "Who is like God?" Since Lucifer wanted to be like God and take His throne. "I will ascend to the throne of the almighty."  (Isaiah 14:14) This was before the creation of the material universe. The Angels were the first creations of God and are purely spiritual beings (not material in nature; personal beings with an intellect and will.) When they were created God offered them a choice (since they have a will able to choose) to accept or reject Him. Lucifer, one of the most intelligent of the angels, chose to reject God and in his pride and vanity actually thought himself to be able to overcome the Almighty. Lucifer means Bearer of Light which highlights his intellect. Michael chose the path of true freedom and chose to love His Creator and stood up for His honor. He and the angels who chose to love God were awarded with the eternal vision of seeing God face to face. Hence, Michael led the Angels in a victory of intellect and will against the rebellious Angels (whom we now call demons because of their twisted nature though still highly intelligent and powerful in will) for God's honor. Michael was then given the particular grace/blessing of being raised as the highest of the angels because of his haste in choosing to love God and defend Him glory against the insult of Lucifer and the rebellious Angels.

Speaking Words of Wisdom Let it Be

It's one of the most iconic Beatles songs; Let it Be.

Whisper words of wisdom... let it be...

You know, in the beginning there wasn't anything *to* be. There was not dirt, no birds, no water, not even space for those things to exist in and not even time for those to exist when.  No matter.  There was He Who Is.  

Praise God that God didn't decide to simply let things be only as He.  He did not desire to be the only one to exist (though He was perfectly happy being Who He Was and Is and Always Will Be.)  God made a choice.  He chose to create things - He created beings who specialize in be-ing.  All of the universe - visible and invisible (angels be real ya know) - is being in He Who Is.  All of creation is held in existence by the One Who exists for all eternity; the One Whose very nature it is *to be.*  

God is really good at being.

He is also good at letting things be.

You see, God has a hand in all things even if some of His creation (namely us) don't want to take Him by the hand.  We fallen (by choice) humans are good at *not* being because we're experts at sinning - making choices away from He Who Is.  We choose evil (an absence of good) and each time we move one step closer to the edge (and I'm about to break!... Linkin' Park anyone? Ok moving on...)

True.  Our sinful choices can never annihilate us out of existence; out be-ing.  Even Satan himself, as radically evil as he is, is still good insofar as he exists; he cannot stop existing because God continues to say "Let it be."  

God created beings who could choose to *be* at rest or *be* in a state of unrest.  Our choices bring us peace (i.e. closer to God in Christ) or greater and greater turmoil.  God honors our choices.

So what will you choose?  The secret to reaching eternal happiness is to say to God's plan and love (with all of our heart intact) "Let it be! Your Will be done because Your Will is the best way to *be*."

May Heaven forbid that we reject God and, in the end, hear Him ratify our rejection, "Let it be... your will be done, My child."  

May we imitate Mary, the greatest receiver of God's Being in all of history, "Let it be done to me according to Your Word." (Luke 1:38)

He Waits

*Ignore the background music from the event going on downstairs in the hall.* 

Here are some thoughts on prayer and "keeping Jesus waiting" for your consideration.

New Wine Needs New Wineskins.. What's a Wineskin??

Today's Gospel ends with one of my favorite verses (which, coincidentally, sums up the whole Bible),

"New wine is poured into fresh wineskins" - Jesus (in Mark 2:22)

In biblical times people drank a lot of wine.  Not because they were running away from their problems but because they were trying to prevent digestive ones.  Wine was generally made to be much weaker than we are familiar with today however the alcohol kept the beverage safe to drink.  Water wasn't always safe to drink.  People died a lot more back then than they do today.

Wait...

I mean, death came earlier in ancient times for many reasons but, to sum it up, the modern world has advanced medicine and knowledge of all the things.  So, today we know how to survive better because we know of the existence of things like bacteria.  

So, people in Jesus' day drank wine and they stored it in things called "wineskins" which was usually made of animal skins.  Newly made wine would need to be stored in a big ol' jar or a wineskin and it would begin fermenting which would stretch the wineskin.  If the wineskin was used before then that means it would have been stretched already by the previous fermentation of wine.  HENCE, the need for NEW wine to be poured into a NEW wineskin.  The new wine expanded the new wineskin, it didn't burst, and everyone was happy.

In the Old Testament God gave the wine of His grace through the Law and the Prophets.  The people's hearts became used to this wine.  Jesus came on the scene, though, and had a new wine for the Israelites and the world.  For the people to receive the new wine of the Holy Spirit into their lives they would need new wineskins, new hearts, in order to stretch with the "fermentation" process of conversion which God calls us to.  Hence, "New wine is poured into fresh wineskins" is really a summary of the Bible because in Christ not only are we given something new but we are made new.  

So that's the general meaning of the verse.  But, God's Word doesn't just speak in general, informative, and interesting messages for us.  God's Word speaks directly to each heart.  The problem can happen, however, that even though God may be trying to communicate something intensely and uniquely personal to an individual that person may not be open or listening.  That person (i.e. you and me) needs to be open to what God wants to give.  We need to let go of our old wineskins and give God new hearts to which He can pour Himself into.

Life application?  God is laboring, trying to give you something new.  "Behold, I am doing something new.  Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" - God (Isaiah 43:19)  You (and me) are very good at resisting His gifts.  For various reasons we as human beings struggled to let God love us while He struggles to love us.  Remember when Jacob wrestled with God (via His angel) in the Old Testament?  Yeah, that's all of us.  Our mission in the spiritual life (and in life in general) is to let God has His way; to let God win; to let God give us the new wine of His grace.  In every moment He has a new grace or blessing for you.  What is He trying to give you in this moment?  

In your prayer time try to come to God in a posture of receptivity and be intentional about it.  Read a Scripture passage (perhaps the one above about the wineskins) and ask God what it is He is trying to give to you.  He ALWAYS wants to give us His grace. Don't resist.  Otherwise, our hearts will remain pretty much as they are right now. 

When will you have your epiphany?

What is an epiphany?  A great awakening or realization? Some type of discovery of earth-shattering import? A new perspective on some previously known idea?

Well, if you're Catholic, the word "Epiphany" should conjure memories of Magi in motion towards the Messiah with Mary His mother.  Alliteration altogether aside, the feast of the Epiphany is a time when we rediscover the greatest discovery the world has ever known - Jesus the Christ.

And they probably found him by way of camel.

This weekend the Catholic Church around the world (and the Orthodox Churches, as well) recall the great feast of the Epiphany when the Magi traversed land and sand to meet the Lord Jesus.  The star in the east guided them and acted as God's messenger.  Perhaps it was an Angel.  Perhaps God's providential design of the universe anticipated these historic moments and planned for a particular star to guide their way even from the beginning of time.  Regardless, God guided the magi to His Son and "No one comes to [the Son] unless the Father draws him." (So says Jesus Himself in John 6:44)  

So where is the Father drawing you?  Of course, to His Son but let's ask a further question for reflection.  How is the Father drawing you to His Son?  

And are you following the way He has traced out?  Are you following the guiding star of His providence?  Are you even moving?

A wise man from the east once said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  Wise men from the east made a long, arduous journey by taking one step after another (whether their own or their camels'.)  And you?  Will you allow your heart to be drawn by the Father towards His Risen Sun from the east?  We have much to discover.  We have an epiphany awaiting us!  Let's no longer stay comfortable in our own homes that we've made for ourselves but let's instead venture out onto the adventure traced out for us by the Father. 

I've always wondered if there were supposed to be more than just three wise men.  Perhaps some decided to stay home... What a terrible mistake that was now wasn't it?

He Makes All Things New...Including You

One of my favorite passages from Scripture comes from Revelation 21:5 And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."

He really does make things new.  In fact, everything Jesus touches becomes new.  Is there a part of your heart that you still need to allow the Lord to touch?  What part of your life is He reaching out towards?  His words are trustworthy and true.  He really does make all things new.

Where do you need renewal during this New Year?  In the wake of the calendar moving forward what needs to change in your life?  Have you resolved to let the Jesus make all things new in your life?  

Take 20 or 30 seconds (or more) of silence - right now.  As awkward as that may seem you really do have the freedom not to move on to the next bit of internet information just yet. You really can take a moment - whenever you like - to let the Lord approach you in peace.   What is He looking at in your life right now?  What is He wanting to give you?  What would an infinitely loving and powerful God have to offer you?  Where is your greatest need?  Be there with Christ and let Him make it new.

Optimus Prime - The Most Noble and Great One

Well, I'm no Latin scholar.  In fact, I passed Latin with a C average. It was an extremely helpful (though difficult) class and now I can read Latin things... for the most part... kind of...

You may be familiar with the Transformers movie series.  I've been on a kick with them lately.  I really like that Optimus Prime guy.  I did a little research into what his Latin name translates to (even though, being the C student that I was in Latin, I already had a pretty good idea thank you very much.)  Judging from Optimus Prime's character from the movie's I'd like to propose that his name means, "The Most Noble and Great One." 

Now, don't get me wrong.  I'm not a Transformers aficionado... But I kind of want to be now.  After seeing a few of these movies I realize what it is that pulls me towards them - It's Optimus. 

Sure, "Optimus" primarily (no pun intended) translates as "Best" while "Most Noble" is only a secondary (even tertiary) rendering of the word - but I think "Best" is too bland; it doesn't describe Optimus' at his core.  "Noble," however, absolutely does.   Optimus is so appealing because he embodies (or rather, enmetals) what it means to be noble.  That is to say Optimus Prime stands tall morally and follows his conscience towards what is true, good, and worth living and dying for.

Are you noble?  One quick way to find out is to ask yourself, "Would others describe me as noble?" If not then you may have some work to do.  Nobility stands out. Nobility gets noticed.  It's not plain to see because it wants to be seen but because it is the only thing worth seeing in a world looking for anything that catches its eye.  Nobility, however, doesn't just catch your eye.  It catches your heart.  It makes you want to be better.  

The Saints were noble.  Great leaders (i.e. anyone who leads others closer to the truth) are noble.  Do you want to be noble?  Deep down we all do.  The difficulty comes in when we don't act according to the core of who we are; according to our true identities.  We're Princes and Princesses; nobility and children of the Most Noble and Great One - God our Father.  While Optimus Prime may stand as a fictional icon of the Angelic order sent to protect us we, through a gift of our Father, have infinitely more nobility than we can stand at times.  That's why we often choose to fall short of our high calling to holiness - it is hard to stand tall when the river of the culture crushes against you to sweep you off your feet and into hell.  Not all wooing is worthy of our hearts yet we too often give in to the siren call of sin, don't we?  

So let us pray to recognize our nobility.  Let us pray that we would see in us what God has placed there - His Divine Spark.  If we knew who we were - truly knew and fully believed it - we'd stand up like royalty and fight for the world.  So if you find yourself sitting or laying down these days and aren't sure what you're really supposed to be doing in life then take heart.  Let the nobleness of God's choosing you and calling you to rise embolden you.  Take His hand and be raised to new life.  Be raised to new life daily; to a higher life; to a greater life; to the most noble life there is.  Pure Life.  Let Life transform you into who you really are.  A child of the Most Noble and Great One.