MICHAELMAS

Raphael St Michael

Durer St Michael fights the Dragon

Michaelmas is the traditional name for the feast of St Michael and All Angels which occurs on September 29th, transferred this year (2013) to September 30th.  Though the nature and existence of angels is a topic that barely features in contemporary theology, the world of angels is long established in the Christian religion, and has an enduring place within it. It is not just that Michaelmas has survived in modern calendars, or the fact that a surprisingly large number of churches have Michael and All Angels as their dedication. In almost every modern version of the Eucharistic liturgy the ancient profession is repeated. "Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels  and with all the whole company of heaven who forever sing this hymn -- Holy! Holy ! Holy!"

Genesis 28:10-17
Revelation 12:7-12
John 1:47-51
Psalm 103 or 103:19-22

 

How shall I sing that Majesty

Which angels do admire?

Let dust in dust and silence lie;

Sing, sing, ye heavenly choir.

Thousands of thousands stand around

Thy throne, O God most high;

Ten thousand times ten thousand sound

Thy praise; but who am I?          

Salvador Dali -- Angelic Landscape

Thy brightness unto them appears,

Whilst I Thy footsteps trace;

A sound of God comes to my ears,

But they behold Thy face.

They sing because Thou art their Sun;

Lord, send a beam on me;

For where heaven is but once begun

There alleluias be.

 

 

 

 

Enlighten with faith’s light my heart,

Inflame it with love’s fire;

Then shall I sing and bear a part

With that celestial choir.

I shall, I fear, be dark and cold,

With all my fire and light;

Yet when Thou dost accept their gold,

Lord, treasure up my mite.       

 

John Mason (1646?–94) Anglican priest and poet