It was a major "aha" for me to realize that God created the angels before man; that due to pride, the bad angels fell for refusing to serve humanity (most especially Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary); and that there is a battle royale still going on today to fill the vacated seats of Heaven! This understanding surely helped me appreciate the value of my soul, the souls of others, and all that St. Michael the Archangel did and continues to do for us...
"The Hebrew meaning of Michael is: Who is like God, and recalls the combat which took place in Heaven between the Archangel and Lucifer. As we have fallen through sin into the power of satan, it is St. Michael's part to continue the fight for our deliverance: wherefore our guardian angels are subordinate to him. He offers to God the prayers of the saints symbolized by incense whose smoke rises towards Heaven. When a Christian has left this world, we pray that the standard-bearer St. Michael should introduce him into Heaven. St. Michael is the protector of the Church, as in the days of the Old Testament he was the protecting angel of the Synagogue. To him also does the liturgy attribute the revelation of the future made to St. John in the Apocalypse."*
CALL TO ACTION: Pray the St. Michael prayer often!
Holy Michael the Archangel defend us in battle. Be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who roam through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Source: *St. Andrew Daily Missal; copyright 1949, page 894; Imprimatur: Samuel Cardinalis Stritch; Nihil Obstat: J. Gerald Kealy, D.D.