Holy Saturday is the day it appears humanity has triumphed over God, making evil the victor. It is the moment of utter folly as the human soul doubles down in regret, doubt, and shame.
St. Michael's victory
War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back, but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon—ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray—thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth. Then I heard a strong voice out of Heaven saying,
Salvation and power are established!
Kingdom of our God, authority of his Messiah!
The Accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out,
who accused them day and night before God.
They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb
and the bold word of their witness.
They weren’t in love with themselves;
they were willing to die for Christ.
So rejoice, O Heavens, and all who live there,
but doom to earth and sea,
For the Devil’s come down on you with both feet;
he’s had a great fall;
He’s wild and raging with anger;
he hasn’t much time and he knows it.Revelation 12: 7-12
You may have never heard of Michaelmas, but know of St. Michael the Archangel. Michaelmas is every September 29 and is a feast day in which we celebrate the church’s victory over evil, but it is so much more than that. Michael’s name means “Who is like God?” That may seem like a strange question, because we may answer; none. In the liturgical calendar, we celebrate St. Michael (Michaelmas) in preparation for the Advent season lurking around the corner. The question, “Who is like God?,” is leading us to an answer found at the end of Advent, Christ. Archangel Michael is pointing us toward the contemplation of Christ. We start Michaelmas at the end of the harvest season and move into a season of reflection, fasting, and maturity with Advent.
So when we read Revelation 12, beginning with Michael in battle, we see scripture progressing toward the revelation of Christ, the one who is like God, our true victor over death and evil–the Lamb. This brings us into the heart of Michaelmas. It reminds us that we are entering a season that leads us to Emmanuel, Christ with us, the Light in the Darkness. So let’s take some time to pause today and begin our contemplative journey toward the one “who is like God” as well as celebrate and feast over our victory in Christ, our hope for healing in a hurting world.
Prayerful Reflection
- Take a moment to re-read Revelation. What do you notice about the scene? Who are the ‘characters’ depicted?
- Where do you notice Christ reflected in this passage? What is Christ like?
- What struggle do you notice unfolding in the passage?
- Now consider your life: Where do you notice struggle? Where do you desire Christ to enter into that struggle?
- Keep in mind, Advent is yet to come. How can the story of St. Michael slaying the dragon and pointing us to Christ be an invitation to begin contemplating the entrance of Christ into our broken world?
- Where would you like to see Christ victorious in your life, the life of your family, church, community and world? Spend time talking with God about this.
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