The Archangels are the Captains of the Heavenly
Host. They guide the squadrons that fight
against the foe. They lead the bands that are sent
to guard the Saints of God. They are the immediate
superiors of the Holy Angels, who obey them with
joyful and unreasoning obedience. So, too, I ought
to obey those immediately set over me. I ought to
see God in my superiors as the Holy Angels do.
Do I do so?
The Archangels are also the personal guardians
of the most illustrious of the Saints, St. Ignatius
is said to have had an Archangel for his guardian.
Many others of the chosen friends of God have
been similarly honored. Such a privilege points to
a high destiny and means signal grace. The Archangels
deem it a privilege to minister to the Saints.
God gives us the same privilege of ministering in
one way or another to the holy servants of Christ.
How rarely this privilege is appreciated as it ought
to be!
The Archangels also stand before God's throne
ready to be sent as His messengers to men. Thus
St. Gabriel was sent to Our Lady, St. Michael to
the Prophet Daniel, St. Raphael to Tobias. These
messages of mercy are highly esteemed by them.
They do not regard it as in any way unworthy of
their exalted dignity to be the means of communication
between God and man. I also ought to esteem
thusly any work undertaken for God, even
though it be that of a humble servant carrying
messages to and fro.