A wonderful gift from God...
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels (October 2, 2019): Ex 23:20-23; PS 91:1-2,3-4,4-6,10-11; MT 18:1-5,10
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Angels are spiritual beings who praise and glorify God and who serve as His messengers to His people on earth. God also provides us with angels as our own unique guardians and it is these we honor on this feast day.
There are references to angels in both the Old and the New Testaments. While the Jewish people were journeying after leaving Egypt, Moses let them know that Almighty God directed an angel to watch over them. “Thus says the Lord: ‘See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. To guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive to him and heed his voice’” (Exodus 23:20-21).
Devotion to our Guardian Angels developed in the Church over the centuries, particularly through studies and writings in the early monasteries. In the 12th century, St. Bernard of Clairvaux believed that these angels reveal God’s immense desire to guide each person, saying that, “Heaven denies us nothing that assists us.” By appreciating the precious gift of our angelic guardians, we honor and adore our loving Lord. Each angel is a beautiful expression of the abundant mercy with which He surrounds us. Our Eternal Father wants to protect us from sin and from harm. We need to cooperate with His grace so that these heavenly protectors can aid our efforts to do and be all that God asks of us.
