THE GREATNESSES OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL 40 Days Devotion in Honor of the Heavenly Prince of Angels by Fr. Nicola Ricci, 1869 MONTH OF SAINT MICHAEL: MEDITATIONS DAY FIVE 5th Meditation
Greatness Of Saint Michael In Faith.
THE GREATNESSES OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL 40 Days Devotion in Honor of the Heavenly Prince of Angels by Fr. Nicola Ricci, 1869 MONTH OF SAINT MICHAEL: MEDITATIONS DAY FIVE 5th Meditation Greatness Of Saint Michael In Faith.
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I. Let us consider that Saint Michael who was created a viator as the other Angels, must have gained glory through his faith. He stood out by his firmness in faith. God had revealed to the Angels the mysteries of the Holy Trinity, grace, predestination, incarnation and all that was related to His glory, and He had wanted the agreement of their intelligence to faith, so they could be given in this way the reward of the beatific vision, as a reward and a crown of justice. Now, Lucifer, instead of humbling his intelligence before such a revelation, became proud, refused any act of faith, estimating that he was able to enjoy the eternal bliss through his own strength alone. He pursued as a final aim, the likeness with God, which is the fruit of grace. Furthermore, he alleged he would pursue it with his own natural strength alone, and without the help of God. Saint Michael acted quite differently. He acknowledged that the true beatitude dwells in God alone, and that he could not obtain it through his own strength alone: thence, his cry: “Who is like God?” Before the revelation of the divine mysteries, he made an act of humility: “Thou alone, my God” he said, “art holy by nature and blessed in the centuries without end!”. “No one can be holy and happy without Thee”. “Thy gifts shall be these perfections with which thou didst enrich me”.
“Thy gifts shall be this glory that Thou hast prepared for me”. O! What a really great faith.
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II. How heroic was the faith of the Archangel, in the rough battle he waged against Lucifer. As soon as the rebel Angel had conceived his scheme of doing without God, at the thought that he was the fairest among Angels, a throng of Angels united to him. It was Saint Michael who, with the shield of faith, entered the battlefield and sustained the honor of God. No one had pushed him to perform this act. He considered it his duty to believe in the revealed mysteries, and have all the Angels believe in them also. Therefore, seeing the attitude of Lucifer, Saint Michael the Archangel was nobler and stronger than the rebel Angel and set a war against him with an invincible faith, crying out to him: “Who is like God?” Thou revoltest against God Who gave you all goods! God is almighty, creation belongs to Him; and you want to deprive Him of His power? God is eternal, all beings are created by Him; and in thy insolence, thou preferest thyself to Him? God is perfection, and thou rejoicest of thy own perfection? God alone is the very beatitude and is enough in Himself, and thou, thou wantest to suffice to thyself? Then, turning towards the Angels, Michael enlightened them, confirmed the good ones, gave courage to the weak and comfort to those hesitating in the faith, and he triumphed over the rebel ones.
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III. What is your faith, O Christian? Is it the truth that you believe what God revealed to you and what you are taught by the Church, but do you live according to the maxims of the faith? If you profess one piece of truth and act differently, your faith is sterile and dead. You believe in Jesus-Christ, and then you give in the things of the devil.
You boast to be a Catholic, by your title and words, but with the sins that you never cease committing, you show that your life is in disagreement with your faith. On the day of your baptism, you renounced the devil, with his works and seductions, but in words only, not through your whole life. What a pitiful state to which you have reduced yourself. You want to look at both heaven and earth in the same time; to be a little Christian and a little pagan; believing in God and in the Church and offending them in the street and at home; hearing mass and mumbling something; praying and leaving a free rein to your passions! Your faith without works is dead. It displeases God and is useless. This is not what Saint Michael did. He conducted himself according to faith, and with courage. Prostrate at his feet, and pray to this glorious hero of paradise to make your faith shine, and enrich you with works of charity.
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PRAYER.
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O incomparable hero of paradise, Saint Michael, I have recourse to thee in my misery, because thou hast been the first believer and the first adorer of the Holy Trinity. Grant that during my life, I may conduct myself according to my faith. Seeing myself guilty with the same fault which Lucifer committed, I implore thy protection, so that with the help of divine mercy, I be a Christian in title and also through my works of both spirit and heart. Turn my faith fruitful, so that through it, I may deserve paradise.
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SALUTATION
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Hail, Saint Michael, standard-bearer of the faith.
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SPIRITUAL BOUQUET
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Thrice, you will recite the Apostles’ Creed and you will pay a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, to make up for the little faith of so many Christians.
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HYMN IN HONOR OF ST MICHAEL.
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O Jesus! splendour of the Father
life and virtue of the heart.
The Father’s Power and Glory bright!
Thee with Angels we extol;
from Thee they draw their life and light.
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Thy thousand, thousand hosts are spread,
embattled o’er the azure sky;
but Michael bears Thy standard dread,
and lifts the mighty Cross on high.
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He in that sign the rebel powers
did with their dragon prince expel:
and hurled them from heaven’s high towers.
down like a thunderbolt to hell.
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Grant us with Michael still, O Lord,
against the Prince of Pride to fight;
so may a crown be our reward,
before the Lamb’s pure throne of light.
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To God the Father and the Son
and Holy Paraclete to Thee,
as evermore hath been before,
be glory through eternity. Amen.