Under the watchful eyes of God’s angels

Tuesday,
October 2, 2018
Feast of the
Guardian Angels
First Reading:
Jb 3:1-23
Gospel Reading:
Mt 18:1-5, 10
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Then Jesus called a little child, set the child in the midst of the disciples, and said, “I assure you that unless you change and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes lowly like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives such a child in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise any of these little ones, for I tell you: their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
The Catholic Catechism (n.336) teaches: “From infancy to death, human life is surrounded by their (angel’s) watchful care and intercession.” Today’s Gospel affirms this teaching, with special emphasis on the role of angels in the lives of children. “See that you do not despise any of these little ones”, Jesus said, “for I tell you: their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father.”
Life’s insecurities convince us of the need for extraordinary support. God has assigned to each of us an angel to guard over us. Unfortunately, we put little faith in them. Proof of this is the increasing reliance over horoscopes. In Ireland, Archbishop Brady of Armagh, primate of all Ireland noted as early as in 2007 an increasing reliance of people on practices which claim to “unveil the future”. Of this the primate remarked: “Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, tarot cards, recourse to clairvoyance and mediums conceal a desire for power over time and a lack of trust in God’s providence.”
Although reliance on astrology may not be as pronounced in the Philippines as in Ireland, there are indications that we are heading towards that direction. The increasing popularity of Feng Shui is one such indication. There is nothing in Feng Shui that is contrary to our faith. But given our leaning towards superstition, Feng Shui may cause irreparable aberrations to our faith. Belief in God’s protection through angels then will be a thing of the past and a material for bed time stories for children.
The good thing with our Guardian Angels is that even if our belief in them wanes as we advance in age, they will always be there walking beside us until the hour of death. They remain faithful to their mission which is rightly defined by the Catholic Catechism of the Church as the mission to surround us from infancy to death with their watchful care and intercession. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email: [email protected].