Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader celebrated Holy Mass in Smakiyeh, southern Jordan, on Sunday September 29, marking the Feast of Archangel Michael, the patron of Smakiyeh. The Mass was concelebrated by parish priest Fr. Ibrahim Naffa’, Fr. Yousef Rizeq, and Deacon Za’al Hijazeen in the presence of a large number of believers.
In his homily, Fr. Bader recalled being parish priest in Samkiyeh and celebrating the Feast of Archangel Michael on September 29, 1998. He said, "There is a special function, mission or message to every angel. Thus, the Lord wants every angel to have a mission or charisma. There are guard angels who accompany and guard the believers, as well as keep people as much as possible away from sin. The archangels are Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael means the like of God, while Gabriel means the strength of God, and Rafael means the healer God".
He added, “Archangel Michael, the patron of this parish since its inception 110 years ago, is the permanent intercessor of every human being who is living a war and a struggle against evil and its aides. He is the great, powerful, warrior who killed the dragon, and who holds a balance which is a symbol of God's justice. The sword is a symbol of fighting evil forces and the trumpet symbolizes God’s ownership of the universe. The Church identified St. Michael who is the defender in times of distress, where Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church’.”Michael is one those who maintained Lord Jesus' words.”
He continued, in 1884, Pope Leo XIII wrote a prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel which is being said after every Holy Mass, It says, “ O Glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defence in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil.” Pope Francis restored this prayer which was stopped in 1964 which says, “O Prince of the Heavenly soldiers, have mercy on the Church.” He also called on the faithful to pray the rosary seeking the intercession of Virgin Mary and to rely on Archangel Michael in the Church’s war against Satan and his deeds.”
He concluded his homily by asking the parishioners to be united with the Church of Lord Jesus Christ seeking the intercession of Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael.
