Who is St Michael ?
The foremost surviving citation of st Michael is in a 3rd century BCE Jewish catastrophe, the Book of Enoch. This lists him as one of seven archangels (the remaining names are Uriel, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, Gabriel, and Remiel), who, according to a slightly after work, the Book of Tobit," stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord". The fact that Michael is introduced in both workshops without explanation implies that compendiums formerly knew him and the other named angels, which in turn implies that they're earlier than the late 3rd century BCE (the foremost possible date of the applicable passages in the Book of Enoch), but although their origins remain a matter for enterprise there's no substantiation that they're aged than the Hellenistic period. He's mentioned again in the last chapters of the Book of Daniel, a Jewish catastrophe composed in the 2nd century BCE although set in the 6th, in which a man clothed in linen ( noway linked, but presumably the archangel Gabriel) tells Daniel that he and"Michael, your Napoleon"are engaged in a battle with the" Napoleon of Persia", after which, at the end-time," Michael, the great Napoleon who protects your people, will arise"
Enoch was necessary in establishing the pre-eminent place of Michael among the angels or archangels, and in after Jewish workshop, he's said to be their chief, interceding the Torah (the law of God) and standing at the right hand of the throne of God. In the traditions of the Qumran community he defends or leads the people of God in the eschatological ( i.e., end-time) battle, (19), and in other jottings he's responsible for the care of Israel (and he may be the"one like a son of man" mentioned in Daniel and the commander of the heavenly armies; he's Israel's advocate querying Satan's claim to the body of Moses; he intercedes between God and humanity and serves as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, and he accompanies the souls of the righteous dead to Paradise.
The original archangel michael statue symbolises the palm of good over wrong, and depicts a winged angel with the shaft, standing with arms and legs spread above the set figure of the horned devil lying supine. The larger-than-life statue stands some 25 ft (7.6 m) high, with the angel's bodies spreading 23 ft (7.0 m). For the face of the angel, Epstein made busts of his son Kitty's two misters, Lucian Freud and Wynne Godley, and named Godley as his model. The angel's body may be inspired by Epstein's 1944 – 45 statue of Lucifer, now at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The features of the devil may be grounded on a distorted interpretation of Epstein himself.
Epstein was first asked to make a maquette, a small model about 18 in (46 cm) high. He made several primary studies in plasticine and citation and had started to work on the main work by the time his commission was approved in 1957. Reportedly, some members of the edifice reconstruction commission expostulated to Epstein being commissioned, with one complaining"But he's a Jew", to which the mastermind Basil Spence responded" So was Jesus Christ". ( citation demanded) An analogous contestation had arisen ahead, when Epstein created his floating supereminent statue of the Virgin Mother and Holy Child for the Convent of the Holy Child in Cavendish Square, London ( now the services of the King's Fund). st michael the archangel state is one of the last major workshops of art completed by Epstein before his death on 21 August 1959. It was cast in citation and unveiled at the edifice in 1961 by Epstein's widow, Kathleen.
st michael the archangel is the patron saint of the warrior, who Catholics have designated as the protector of those who strives to preserve security, safety, and peace.He makes various powerful appearances in the Bible. As the field commander in the Army of God, Michael, the Archangel is regarded as a powerful, spiritual general and soldier for Christ. As such, members of the armed forces, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and others who work to serve and protect us all daily, regard St. Michael as their patron saint.
As Christmas and the New Year holidays are celebrated this year, I find myself thinking about the story of Michael the Archangel, and I am reminded of those who have fought to protect the freedoms we cherish and the democracy we call the United States of America.
When I look back over the past decade, I am also reminded of the sacrifices of so many men and women who gave their lives to rescue their fellow Americans who were trapped in the World Trade Center and in the Pentagon ten years ago. My thoughts turn to the brave men and women on United Airlines Flight 93 who also gave their lives to protect the lives of others on that fateful day.
Finally, thoughts turn to the young men and women who served in Iran and Afghanistan and the sacrifice they have made, too.
In the Catholic tradition, the St.Michael Medal depicts the archangel wielding a sword and shield. This figure symbolizes a great, brave warrior.
The story of the Archangel Michael is straightforward and unpretentious:
The Archangels were God's most trusted aides; strong, powerful, and committed to the word of Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven. Michael was "the Angel of the Lord," who was sent to Moses, Jacob, Abraham and others throughout the history of the world to spread the word of Christ and the gospel.
Ages ago, Lucifer -Morning Star, an Archangel well known for his great beauty, asked himself, "Why should God be the most important person in Heaven? I am beautiful and I am powerful. I am just as important as God. I shall fight Him and have Heaven for my own!" Lucifer raised an army in Heaven to challenge God.
God called upon Michael, who then gathered a mighty army of angels and vanquished Lucifer and his followers from Heaven forever. They are now referred to as the Fallen Angels.
The St. Michael statue is rich with the power of the Archangel Michael’s story. Wearing the medal provides those who wear it a sense of security. They feel that the warrior angel is close and watching over them.
People who face danger every day working to protect us find that St. Michael statue fortifies their faith and reinforces their commitment to the protection of others. It also helps them find the courage to face danger and carry on.
The St. Michael statue is a catholic symbol; however, the message embodied in his medal is universal: peace, security, and safety are worth fighting for.
Brave men and women do that for us all every day – all around the world. We should all hold them close to our hearts every day as well as the holiday season
