Mystics have been debating the hierarchy of angels for centuries, but it is widely believed that the term archangel describes a special status (arch meaning ruler) reserved for seven angels for example Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel ranking them second to last in their proximity to God within the nine angelic orders.
Much is written about Michael and Gabriel and so I thought I would look at Raphael today. Raphael is also known as Angel of Science and Knowledge or Regent of the Sun although Raphael itself actually means “God heals”. One of Raphael’s most important responsibilities was to heal earth and its people and for this reason he is sometimes depicted as a serpent which is a positive symbol for healing. Raphael is also the guardian angel of travellers and is often depicted holding a staff whilst in pilgrim dress.
Raphael’s message is that as you grow up and grow older you have to expect a certain element of injury and illness, however he understands that in certain circumstances the healing process can be extremely painful and long drawn out. However a person needs to keep their desire and will to get better even if they cannot fully recover. Despite our developed times it is still not always possible for modern medicine to provide a cure and at times it seems only a miracle will solve the situation. But miracles do not just happen to anyone, first the person needs to be surrounded by love in the form of family and friends but more importantly to heal both spiritually, physically and completely they must first love themselves.
Raphael’s gift of healing comes from God’s love and all love is divine – love of self and love of life. When it is unrealistic to believe that love will cure illness alone then it is enough to believe that it will at least heal the soul.
The Book of Tobit (Book of Tobias) is a book of scripture that is part of the Catholic and Orthodox biblical canon. It is listed as a book of the Apocrypha in Article VI of the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England. Tobit is regarded by Protestants as apocryphal. The book of Tobit is placed in the Vulgate among the historical books of the Old Testament, but most scholars regard it more as a religious novel with certain historical elements. It is within the Book of Tobit that Archangel Raphael is mentioned:
Tobit, Chapter 3:17
“So Raphael was sent to heal them both: to remove the cataracts from Tobit’s eyes, so that he might again see God’s sunlight; and to marry Raguel’s daughter Sarah to Tobit’s son Tobiah, and then drive the wicked demon Asmodeus from her. For Tobiah had the right to claim her before any other who might wish to marry her. In the very moment that Tobit returned from the courtyard to his house, Raguel’s daughter Sarah came downstairs from her room.”
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