Ps 88:10bc-11, 12-13, 14-15
Mt 18:1-5, 10 Full Readings
The Greatest in the Kingdom
On Sunday, we celebrated the feast day of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Today we celebrate the feast of our Guardian Angels. Who are these and what do they do? There are nine orders of celestial beings that we commonly refer to as angels and all these angels are organized traditionally in three spheres.
Highest Sphere: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.
Middle Sphere: Dominions, Virtues and Powers
Lower Sphere: Principalities, Archangels and Guardian Angels.
The Guardian Angels are at the lowest and last level meaning they are nearer to human beings and were created for the purpose of caring for humans and communicating God’s messages. Their role is thus to guard us, guide us and protect us. At birth, everyone gets his or her own Guardian Angel until the end of one's life. They are to provide us with every discernment we need to pass through this life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their (the angels) watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares faith in the blessed company of angels and men united to God." (CCC 336)
Our role is to listen to the promptings of our Guardian Angels, so as to live a life worthy for the kingdom of God. Whether we sleep, or rise, or eat, or do anything, they keep watching over us so that we are safe. What a great gift we have from God. We also have to pray for their guidance especially when all things are not going on well with us. They are always there for us and ours is to always be open for their guidance in our lives. They are our bodyguards.
Imagine, in an earthly sense, that you had a personal bodyguard to look after you day and night throughout your life. Perhaps this evokes two different sentiments. First, it would most certainly comfort you when there is imminent danger around. You would know you are not alone and that you would be kept safe from physical harm. Another sentiment it may invoke is that of a loss of personal privacy. If someone were watching over you, day and night, you would always be aware of their watchful eye. Everything you said and did would be noticed. For some, this may not always be welcome. Why? Because this means they see all you do, including your sin. Fear of judgment, the loss of personal privacy and the like may be difficult to accept. But now imagine that this “bodyguard” is one who offers no judgment, acts with perfect love for you, keeps confidentiality with perfection and cares only for your well-being. Though it may be hard to imagine that such a person could exist, that person does exist in the person of your guardian angel.
Depending on them for guidance is becoming childlike which Jesus talks about in today's gospel. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples that greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is not like greatness in an earthly kingdom. If we view things from a worldly perspective, we tend to measure greatness in terms of strength, wealth, physical beauty, and achievement. Jesus, however, does not point to Caesar or to a wealthy person of power to show who is great. Rather, he points to a child to indicate true spiritual greatness. How, then, do we turn and become like children? When we see a child, we see how they depend so much on their parents and guardians. They are often innocent, simple, humble, and full of joy and laughter. Am I dependent, like a child, upon my Heavenly Father and my Guardian Angel?
Today take time to speak to your Guardian Angel. Start by thanking him for all the protection and every kind of help he has given you. Ask your Guardian Angel to always protect, guide and rule your life and all that you do. Pray and thanks for the gift of our Guardian Angels.
Let us Pray
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, Rule and guide. Amen.
Be blessed
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