Our Guardian Angels are with us to light and guard our way in the world
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels (October 2, 2018): JB 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23; PS 88:2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8; MT 18:1-5, 10
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this feast celebrating our guardian angels we see how Almighty God provides for us so beautifully and wonderfully.
Because He cares so much for the physical and spiritual concerns of His beloved people He gave us protectors to look after our well-being. We often think of angels as companions of children, yet we need to recognize that our Lord spoke of the need for all of us to be childlike. In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus say, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child in the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:3-5).
Our guardian angels can help us to be humble and open to God’s will in all we do. We can turn to them, asking for their guidance in avoiding sin and doing good. However young or old we are, we should pray for their assistance. And we might start by reciting that simple, lovely prayer many of us learned in childhood: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His live commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard to rule and guide. Amen.”
Suggested missionary action: Let’s get together with the children in our lives and enjoy a slice of angel food cake or plate of angel hair pasta - or make either one (or both!) part of a meal today for ourselves. Then we can remember how much God loves us and sends His angels to be with us every day.
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