Michael the Archangel keeps popping up in my life;  a life not entirely begun with religious discipline.  St. Michael, St. Gabriel and their presence within the “Our Lady of Succour” icon is an image of arresting dimensions for me, it being the Alpha and the Omega depicted with Our Lady as  shielding Christ from his fate, presented to him by the Archangels Michael and Gabriel – how could they offer such objects of violence to The Christ?

I have been to Le Mont St. Michel in Normandie now a few times – in pilgrimage – and recognise the powerful earth-grounded imagery of the Archangel Michael’s might.  Therein, the Might, lies the clue behind the armour.  “Fight the Good Fight with all thy Might, Lean and his mercy will provide..”  is intrinsic.  Armour and war are indeed related and, whether we like it or not, our ways of being affect the world and the manifestations of war.

That soldiers and military have the protection of the Archangel – whichever side they are on – is profound in their own, single journeys;  if I may learn not to judge the whys and wherefores of war, not to judge the individual combatants, that, in itself, may give peace to the world.

(© 2010 Eileen Baker)