THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS
The Holy Guardian Angels October 2, 2021
“… their angels in Heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
Once again the Gospel today reminds us of the need for simplicity and Jesus once again takes children as an example. And in case we are in any doubt, he warns us not to despise them: they are precious. Through their angels there is a direct link between them and their Father in heaven whose love embraces them.
There is not so much emphasis on guardian angels in the Church these days as in times past. Perhaps that’s because we’re not comfortable with some of the flowery imagery of those days. It might help to think of the angels as part of the community of saints who all see God. As we ask the saints to pray for us, so we can ask our guardian angel. It can surely be a great consolation to know that we have someone praying for us all the time.
Our Guardian Angels shed light upon the path that we must walk. When our struggles each day seem too great, they extend a ray of hope down upon us from God. They allow us to see the face of Our Crucified and Risen Lord, who having shared in our suffering helps us share in His Resurrection, even in the midst of suffering.
Our Guardian Angels guard us from the snares of our enemies. As the Devil tries time and again to convince us that his way—easier and broader than God’s—is the way that will bring us happiness, our guardians remind us that the Way of the Cross is the only path to the Father.
Our Guardian Angels rule us as we slip from the narrow path. As we fall prey to the temptations of the Devil, our guardians do not abandon us. Sharing in the boundless love of our Saviour, they do not fail to stand by us even then. They convince us, as they nurse our consciences back to health, that the Cross is the only true remedy for our constant falling away from God.
Our Guardian Angels guide us by bidding us to share in the sacraments of the Church. For all their power, our guardians entrust us to the care of Holy Mother Church, since in her care we most truly belong. For the Church is their Mother, too. All the angels are fellow members of the Church, and as the Church’s children we imitate the words of Jesus when like little children we recognize and thank those who are our guardians.
Prayer
Angels of God, who see God face to face and live to do God’s will, pray for us who struggle to overcome the temptations of the world, that we may become worthy to share the promises of Jesus Christ, your Lord and ours. We make this prayer in his name. Amen.
