St.
Raphael is one of seven Archangels who stand before the throne of the
Lord. He was sent by God to help Tobit, Tobiah and Sarah. At the time,
Tobit was blind and Tobiah's betrothed, Sarah, had had seven bridegrooms
perish on the night of their weddings. Raphael accompanied Tobiah into
Media disguised as a man named Azariah. Raphael helped him through his
difficulties and taught him how to safely enter marriage with Sarah.
Tobiah said that Raphael caused him to have his wife and that he gave
joy to Sarah's parents for driving out the evil spirit in her. He also
gave Raphael credit for his father's seeing the light of heaven and for
receiving all good things through his intercession. Besides Raphael,
Michael and Gabriel are the only Archangels mentioned by name in the Bible. Raphael's name means "God heals." This identity came about
because of the biblical story which claims that he "healed" the earth
when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels. Raphael is also
identified as the angel who moved the waters of the healing sheep pool.
A prayer:
O God, who gave blessed Raphael the Archangel unto thy servant Tobias to be the companion of his wayfaring : grant unto us thy servants ; that we may ever be protected by the guardianship of this same thine Archangel, and defended by his help. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
As in real life, in my Traveller universe, Christians ask St Raphael for aid and protection on their journeys, and for aid in recovery when injured along the way.
No comments:
Post a Comment