Every angel's name is "theophoric". This technical term, "theophoric", means "God-bearing". That is to say, these names, as indeed the names of many men and women in the bible, contain an element referring to God. The Hebrew names Michael, Gabriel, Raphael all contain the element "-el" which is the Hebrew word for "God". This serves to remind us that we cannot understand the doctrine of the angels apart from the mystery of God, and specifically the mystery of God's providential care for the world. The name of each angel tells us something about God. "Michael" means "Who is like God?" and, especially in times of difficulty, reminds us that God is greater than all and particularly greater than any difficulty or trouble we may be in.

We generally need to turn to other people for help in time of trouble and indeed their help is often astonishingly great. Yet, no matter how great human help may be, it will not fully achieve its purpose unless we turn to God in prayer, for no one is like God.

The name Michael derives from a question in Hebrew. Nevertheless it can become a short act of faith for us, for if we pray to St Michael, we affirm our faith that no one is greater than God.