Readings: Job 38:1,12-21,40:3-5, Ps. 139:1-3,7-10,13-14, Matthew 18:1-5,10
“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Who are guardian angels? Guardian Angels are special messengers assigned to each person to guide and protect them. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus speaks about guardian angels while warning his listeners against despising the little ones. Children may appear fragile, but they are not alone. No human being is alone.
Why do we need Guardian Angels? We live in a profoundly spiritual world. As we often say, reality is more than meets the eye. Nothing happens in the physical realm unless it is settled in the spiritual realm. Hence, St. Paul would say: “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).
How do we tap into the protection offered by our Guardian Angels? One: Be conscious of their existence. Many Christians today are unaware that they have guardian angels. Hence, they nurse unnecessary fears leading to anxiety, depression and faithlessness. Some Christians are more conscious of the powers of the demons than they are of their God-given powers. St. John writes: “Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).
Two: Develop the habit of listening to your guardian angels. Speaking about our guardian angels, God says: “I am going to send an angel in front of you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Be attentive to him and listen to his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him. But if you listen attentively to his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.” (Exodus 23:20-22).
Have you ever felt something telling you not to go to a particular location, but you went anyway, and something bad happened? That was your guardian angel speaking to you, but you didn’t listen. Our guardian angels sometimes serve as our conscience, warning us to resist specific actions. They also guide us through life’s difficult road and inspire us to make the right choices. Learn to become friendly with your guardian angel.
Three: Talk to your guardian angel. Do you know a short, simple prayer to your guardian angel? It goes thus: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.” Say this prayer as often as possible. Let it remind you that you are not alone when you feel scared, worried or sad.
Praying to your guardian angel is not idolatry. It taps into the power God offers us. If Jesus warned against despising the little ones because they have angels who always see the face of God, then there is nothing wrong with us (the little ones) sending our angels on errands to bring gifts from God.
Since we cannot see our guardian angels, how can we be sure they exist? Guardian angels are spiritual beings that may sometimes appear to us in human form. The Book of Tobit records an example of this (Tobit 3:25, 5:1-4). Angel Raphael, disguised as a human named Azariah, presents himself as a family relative and offers to accompany Tobias to Media. Along the way, Raphael helps Tobias catch a fish that cures his father’s blindness, and later, he allows Tobias to marry Sarah and free her from a demon’s grasp.
Perhaps you are not convinced that guardian angels exist. Remember, it takes childlike faith to believe in spiritual realities. This is why, in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus tells us to receive God’s kingdom as children. “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3).
Let us pray: O God, who in your unfathomable providence are pleased to send your holy Angels to guard us, hear our supplication as we cry to you, that we may always be defended by their protection and rejoice eternally in their company. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (The Holy Guardian Angels. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Job 38:1,12-21,40:3-5, Ps. 139:1-3,7-10,13-14, Matthew 18:1-5,10)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu