Sermon for Michael and All Angels – Daniel 10:10-19a; Revelation 12:7-12; Matthew 18:1-10

Today, as well as celebrating with Emma as she presides at her first communion following her priesting yesterday, is the feast of Michael and All Angels.

So, what do we think of when we think of angels?

We must imagine something, after all how many times has someone said to you, or you have said to someone else ‘you’re an angel’?

What do we mean by that?

We mean, they have done something for us, which has brought us comfort, helped us, guided us in some way. Angels wing their way in and out of our lives. we speak of angels in our attitude to hospitality and kindness to strangers; to acts of generosity – whether intentional or spontaneous. We speak of guardian angels and of being angels.

Angels readily make their way into modern culture, through literature and song.

Abba – sang ‘I believe in angels, something good in everything I see.’

Robbie Williams sang ‘’cause I’ve been told, that salvation lets her wings unfold, so when I’m lying on my bed, thoughts running through my head, and I feel that love is dead, I’m loving angels instead.’

Robbie’s angel offers protection; the assurance of not being forsaken; a blessing of love in weakness and pain. It is a song full of longing; it presumes that angelic affection is more constant than human love.

Yesterday, with these words, the Bishop addressed the congregation at St. Botolphs, words which remind us of the role of priest, he said

Priests are called to be servants and shepherds among those to whom they are sent. They are to be messengers, sentinels and stewards of the Lord, with all God’s people, that’s all of us gathered here, they are to tell the story of God’s love. They are to resist evil, support the weak, defend the poor and intercede for all in need.

But words which also echo, at least in part the role of angels … though angels do it a whole lot better than us human beings, whose own agendas and interests often send us off track. This is why we set aside time privately and when gathered together week by week, to refocus our bodies, hearts, souls and minds on God. The words we say, the postures we adopt, the praises we sing, the gifts we taste and touch all align us with God, preparing ourselves for his service.

Perhaps because the readings and theme for this Sunday were in my head when I went on holiday, I was particularly struck by two images that I came across on my travels.

You have them on a card in your service sheet.

The first image was of Saint Michael, found on the outside wall of the church of St Michael in Sant’Angelo.

Perhaps it strikes a rather fearsome image, an angel, sword in hand, holding down the dragon with one foot. The image we might get having read our passage from Revelation this morning. As Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven, as they were cast down to the earth.

It reminded me of a school nativity play I attended several years ago, where a young boy, Issac, who attended the after-school club which the church ran, had been cast as the angel Gabriel.

In a break from the more traditional image of angels we might see in school nativity plays, not only was the angel Gabriel played by a boy for a change, but Issac, a keen biblical scholar, had done his research and decided that the typical costume of white robes, fluffy wings and a silver tinsel halo, seen in most school nativity plays, was not quite what he thought angels would look like, and so when he appeared, with his double edged sword in hand, judging by the rather audible gasps of the assembled parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, it’s no wonder Mary and the shepherds, were at first afraid.

It was an awesome thing to see and certainly got the parents talking and thinking a little more about their image of angels.

At the heart of this feast day, is the recognition of the reality and presence of heavenly beings, the heavenly host, and their participation and ultimate victory in the war against darkness.

We are reminded of the reality of spiritual warfare, of evil, just as Emma and those ordained priest with her yesterday, were reminded they are to, along with all Gods people, remember that’s each one of us, to resist evil.

The second image taken on our holiday, is rather whimsical perhaps.

Every day we would pass by these wings on the wall outside a jewellers shop, during the day time, unlit, they simply merged into the background, easy to miss, but at night, when they were lit up, people would stop, and have their photo taken on their way past.

As night by night, I wandered by and saw people having their photos taken, I wondered what they imagined angels are like?

And so on the final night I stopped, simply to have this photo taken for today ….

Did I imagine myself as an angel … certainly not.

But it did remind me of the presence of angels all around us, for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

Our gospel reading this morning ended with these words ‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for a tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my father in heaven.’

Oh to be a child and to see the world through the eyes of a child once more.

To have washed away the layers of cynicism, and rationalism.

To be as humble as a child.

I, as I am sure you have too, have encountered many people in my life, who have been like angels, people who have supported, guided and strengthened me. But I can’t say that I have ever seen an angel ….

But I have been in the same room as one.

It happened a long time ago, when Megan was just 3 years old, a child.

We had just lost our daughter Grace, and one afternoon, Megan was transfixed by something that had caught her attention in the corner of the room by the television.

The television wasn’t on, but she was completely engrossed in a conversation which I couldn’t understand.

When finally she turned away, I asked her what she had been doing.

Her response somewhat took me by surprise.

I have been speaking to the angel … she said it in such a simple, matter of fact manner, that it was absolutely obvious, she must have thought that I could see the angel too, why wouldn’t I be able too, after all, she could!

Anyway as I tried to grasp what she was saying I asked and what have you been talking about …

Megans response – we have been talking about Grace, the angel wants us to know, that we don’t need to be worried or sad, Grace is with God in heaven.

As simple as that.

A message from an angel, at just the right time.

At Christmas time we focus on this role of angels as Gods messengers … passing on heavenly messages to Mary, Joseph and shepherds on the hillside.

The word for a messenger in Hebrew is Malach and in Greek, angelos, which is where we get the word ‘angel’ from. Angels in the literal sense are Gods messengers.

Echoing the calling of priest to be messengers, sentinels and stewards of the lord, with all Gods people, remember that’s each one of us, telling the story of God’s love.

Today we are reminded that we do none of this in our strength, we have the strength and power of Christ within us through the Holy Spirit, and a host of heavenly angels, round about us, supporting, encouraging, comforting and guiding us.

Whilst our children can delight and remember that angels and archangels are on ‘our side’ and that their angels are always before the father.

There is wonder in it for us adults too, that we are allowed to believe in angels without being sentimental or sappy. Yes, they are real. Yes, they are near. Yes, they fight with us.

And that is Good News.

Let’s pray

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the calling you have laid on each one of us. We thank you that you have called Emma to priesthood, and we pray for Gods continual blessing on her as she ministers in our parishes, proclaiming your word in season and out of season. We pray, that with your holy angels round about us, we may all be messengers of hope, sharing your love with all in need. In Jesus name we pray. Amen