What is this name Mi-ka-El? Where does it come from? What does it mean? To begin with it is part of my “persona” in writing this blog. Let me explain.
Based in part, I assume, on the quote from the Book of Revelations in the previous post (Fire in Heaven??), in the early days of Christianity a legend arose that has been told, at least in Catholic circles ever since. I call it a legend because I’ve been unable to find anything like it in Holy Scripture. The passage from Revelations cited above is the most similar to it. The legend goes something like this…
Based in part, I assume, on the quote from the Book of Revelations in the previous post (Fire in Heaven??), in the early days of Christianity a legend arose that has been told, at least in Catholic circles ever since. I call it a legend because I’ve been unable to find anything like it in Holy Scripture. The passage from Revelations cited above is the most similar to it. The legend goes something like this…
A certain archangel, Lucifer by name, who was one of God’s favorites, rebelled and challenged God’s authority. A created being, he nevertheless saw himself as equal or superior to God and said, “I will not serve!” Threatened with an eternity in hell, he responded, “It is better to rule in hell than to serve in heaven.” He succeeded in convincing a third of the angels to join in his rebellion.
In defense of God’s honor and glory, another archangel cried out, “Who is like God?” This question became the archangel’s name, Michael, and a rallying cry for those angels who remained loyal to God. It was then that the war in heaven ensued and spilled over onto the earth with Lucifer becoming known as Satan or the Devil.
Mi-ka-El (pronounced “My-kul”) is a phonetic rendering of the name Michael. It also reveals the actual question and rallying cry; “Mi” (Who) [is], “ka” (like or equal to), “El” (God)? Almost from the beginning of the Christian faith, Saint Michael the Archangel has been designated by the Catholic Church as God’s champion and the defender of the Christian faith.
The title banner for Fire in Heaven announces its primary function or goal of “proclaiming and upholding God’s glory and honor, protecting and defending His Church on earth.” To this end, and hopefully with his acceptance and approval, I’ve intentionally adopted the persona and “voice” of my namesake, Michael, in my posts. I can think of no better way of fulfilling the goal of Fire in Heaven than by teaching, promoting, sharing and encouraging the faith through musing about what it means to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
The title banner for Fire in Heaven announces its primary function or goal of “proclaiming and upholding God’s glory and honor, protecting and defending His Church on earth.” To this end, and hopefully with his acceptance and approval, I’ve intentionally adopted the persona and “voice” of my namesake, Michael, in my posts. I can think of no better way of fulfilling the goal of Fire in Heaven than by teaching, promoting, sharing and encouraging the faith through musing about what it means to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
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