Another Michaelmas…of sorts

The readings for this 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time prepare us for the Feast of Christ the King, which falls on the last Sunday of the liturgical year. They remind us that just as the liturgical year comes to an end, so too will time end with Christ's second coming as judge. They also remind us of the need to be more mindful of our particular judgment and not become distracted by world events. Thinking about this naturally leads us to reflect on our death and the importance of living in a state of grace. The church has designated certain saints to assist us at the time of our death, including the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph, the patron of the dying.  Today’s readings highlight another such patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel.

The first reading’s reference to the Archangel Michael is one of several from the Book of Daniel. It highlights his role as the guardian angel of Israel and the leader of the heavenly armies. It also highlights his role in the general resurrection. As he cast Satan and his angels into their eternal punishment, he will also conduct us resurrected to our eternal reward, whether in heaven or hell. 

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;

    some shall live forever,

    others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.” (Daniel 12:2)

The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews outlines how the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Eternal High Priest, is superior in every way to the sacrifices of the Old Law. Unlike those sacrifices that could not take away sin, Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross merited for us the graces necessary for our sins to be forgiven. This raises the question: If Christ's sacrifice was sufficient for our salvation, why do priests continue to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

Priests offer the Mass because of Christ’s command to his church to continue his sacrifice for all time for us to receive the grace of the remission of sins. When Christ died on the cross, he died at a specific time. The Mass represents that perfect sacrifice and allows us to receive the grace of forgiveness if we cooperate with it. The Mass is also the expression of our belief in the Second Coming of Christ as judge:

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor 11:26)

Our trust in the powerful assistance of Saint Michael the Archangel is reflected in the Saint Michael prayer, formerly recited after Low Masses in the pre-Vatican II liturgy. It was composed by Pope Leo XIII in the late 19th century as a plea to the archangel to preserve the independence of the Holy See. It remains a prayer many Catholics recite at the end of Mass. Amidst the evil in the world that seeks to ensnare souls, this prayer is an expression of our confidence in Saint Michael’s protection, especially at the hour of our death.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus narrates how his second coming will occur. Whereas he was born in an obscure and impoverished setting, he describes his return as a cataclysmic and terrifying event. But perhaps the most important part of this Gospel reading is not that description, but this sentence:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)

On the Solemnity of Christ the King next week, the church will consider the theme of Christ’s second coming as king and as judge. As we approach Advent, a time of preparation for both his birth at Christmas and his final judgment, let us reflect on the state of our souls and persevere in a state of grace. Let us also seek the powerful intercession of Saint Michael the Archangel, whose feast we celebrated on September 29th, that he may guide us to our eternal reward at the hour of our death.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all of the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.