I remember a musical request for a funeral, when I worked in the parish of Llandudno. It was for the Abba song, I believe in Angels.

It was very moving and helped the mourners in their grief. I also remember a junior cleric poking fun at a Dean who had preached on the topic of angels. I believe that the ministry of angels is real. When I was in trouble at sea in the Isle of Man recovering my lobster pot, I distinctly felt a presence with me that calmed me.

Today is the Feast Day of Michael and All Angels. This is the time of the year when the lovely purple Michaelmas daisy flowers are to be seen.

Some universities and the law call this time of the year Michaelmas term. The word angel comes from the Greek word angelos which means messenger. The great Icon by Rublev illustrates the Trinity with three angels. Angels bring important messages from God to humankind.

Angels appear many times in the New Testament. Luke mentions angels in the Nativity. (Lk 2v9-13). Matthew links the angels and children in Matthew 18 v10. “In heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father.” They ministered to Jesus during his temptations (Mark 1v13). Jesus mentions them when he talks to Nathaniel (John 1v51). An angel came to strengthen Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and an angel rolled the stone away from Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 28v2) When Mary Magdalene looks into the empty tomb, she sees the angels dressed in white (John 20v12)

Do angels sit comfortably in a scientific age? Humankind has always looked to something that says we are not alone in this universe. A large number of us look for something beyond that is spiritual.

The belief in angels is present in both the Old and New Testaments and Jesus himself believed in them.

St Michael, the arch-angel is traditionally portrayed as a Knight in shining armour because he is a warrior angel and captures the Lord’s hosts. This reminds us that we all have to battle against those things that ruin human life on earth. Peace will only be established on earth when we have purified our patriotism and dedicated ourselves, not to the defence and extension of our own particular race and nation, but to that of the Kingdom of God.

There is a very striking sculpture by Jacob Epstein at the entrance of Coventry Cathedral. This cathedral is dedicated to the end of war and to reconciliation between nations.

It is worth noting that the church in Tremain (in the care of The Friends of Friendless Churches) is dedicated to St Michael.

I am sure that you know the following hymn by Francis Pott (1832-1909):

Angel voices ever singing round thy throne of light, angel harps for ever ringing rest not day nor night; thousands only live to bless thee, and confess thee Lord of might.

The following is a translation of the carol, While Shepherds watched their flocks by night by Nahum Tate (1652-1715) Cyf. Gwyn Jones

Pan oedd bugeiliaid gyda’r praidd yn gorwedd ar y bryn daeth angel Duw o’r t’wyllwch du

fel golau disglair, gwyn.

Wrth weld eu braw a’u dychryn hwy, “Nac ofnwch,” meddau ef, Cans dwyn yr wyf lawenydd mawm, Newyddion da o’r nef.

Collect for Michael and All Angels:

Eternal Lord God, you have drawn us together with the angels in a wonderful order to serve you:

grant that as your holy angels always stand before you in heaven, so, at your command they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Arglwydd Dduw tragwyddol, tynnaist ni ynghyd â’r angylion mewn trefn ryfeddol i’th wasanaethu: caniatâ, megis y mae dy angylion sanctaidd yn sefyll yn wastad ger dy fron yn y nefoedd, y bydd iddynt, ar dy orchymyn, ein cynorthwyo a’n hamddiffyn ni ar y ddaear;

trwy Iesu Grist ein Harglwydd, sydd yn fyw ac yn teyrnasu gyda thi yn undod yr Ysbryd Glân,

yn un Duw, yn awr ac am byth. Amen.

The Rev John Powell

Retired Vicar of Cardigan