Who is like unto the LORD?
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes”
On September 29th, the Western Church has traditionally observed the Feast of St Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas). On the old Anglican calender, this would have taken precedence over the ordinary Sunday readings, but our calender gives the option of going either way. At RAC, we will transfer the feast on Monday, but are dedicating this week’s art and music in the reflectionary to it.
This image is an icon of the Synaxis (=gathering) of the Bodiless Powers from the Eastern tradition. Depicted is the preincarnate Christ, symbolized as a child, seated upon a cherub in the midst of a choir of angels. It is an image evokes several scriptural passages, such as Isaiah's vision of the Lord "high and lifted up" with seraphim attending him (Isaiah 6:1-3), or John's apocalyptic glimpses of worship around the heavenly throne (Revelation 4-5). “He makes is angels spirits, and his ministers flames of fire,” (Ps. 104:4 / Heb 1:14); he is “seated upon the cherubim” and “rides upon the wings of the wind.” The angels cry out, “Who is this king of glory!” (Ps 24:8-10) And Michael, the prince of the Heavenly Host, cries out with his very name, “Who is like unto God!”
Our lectionary readings this week, while not directly focused on angels, touch on themes that resonate with their ministry. In Numbers 11, we see God's Spirit empowering leaders to assist Moses, reminding us of the angels' role as ministering spirits. Psalm 19 proclaims how the heavens declare God's glory, echoing the angelic chorus that ceaselessly praises Him. The epistle of James calls us to "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). This exhortation acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare, in which angels play a crucial role (e.g., Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7-9).
In Mark's gospel, Jesus warns against causing "little ones" to stumble, declaring that their angels always behold the face of the Father (Matthew 18:10). This reminds us of the profound dignity of every human being, each beloved and watched over by God.
As we reflect on angels this week, we might recall the words of the Cherubic Hymn sung in Eastern liturgies: "We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, let us now lay aside all earthly cares, that we may receive the King of All, who comes invisibly upborne by the angelic hosts."
May we join our voices with the angelic choirs this week, laying aside earthly cares to welcome Christ our King, and to fulfill our calling as his messengers (the literal meaning of "angel") in a world hungry for good news.
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows forth his handiwork."
- Psalm 19:1
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Texts for This Week
Prayer
O merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Scriptures
Numbers 11:4–6, 10–17, 24–29
Psalm 19
James 4:7–5:6
Mark 9:38–48
Steps to Heaven
Our song for this week isi the ancient hymn attributed to Rabanus Maurus, "Christ the fair glory of the holy angels" (Christe, sanctorum decus Angelorum). The featured video is a a contemporary arrangement by Thomas McCallum, breathing new life into this timeless text with its solo voice and guitar accompaniment.
The hymn opens by addressing Christ as the "fair glory" and "the King" of the angels. This immediately places our focus where it belongs - not on the angels themselves, but on Christ whom they serve. It reminds us that while angels are powerful and awe-inspiring beings, they, like us, are creatures who worship the Creator.
As the hymn progresses, it invokes the three archangels mentioned by name in Scripture:
Michael, whose name means "Who is like God?", is called to "avert war and strife."
Gabriel, "the strength of God," is asked to visit earth again as he did at the Annunciation.
Raphael, "God's remedy," is implored to "heal our souls" and guide us on life's journey.
These petitions remind us of the diverse ways angels minister in God's creation - protecting, announcing, healing, and guiding. Yet they also mirror the calling of the Church. Are we not also participants in his work, as peacemakers, bearers of good news, agents of healing, and guides to those seeking God?
The hymn's final stanza is a prayer that the angelic host might "drive from us the rebel foe." This acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare but assures us that we do not face these battles alone. Just as Elisha's servant's eyes were opened to see the angelic army surrounding them (2 Kings 6:17), this hymn opens our spiritual eyes to the unseen reality of God's protection.
