Wednesday,
October 2, 2019
Feast of the Guardian
Angels
1st reading: Neh 2:18
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)
Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels. As children we were taught that our guardian angels are always by our side and they cry whenever we do something wrong. Now that we are grown ups we think less of them, if at all. Are they real?
The Catholic Catechism (n.336) teaches: “From infancy to death, human life is surrounded by (their) angel’s watchful care and intercession.” Jesus himself confirmed the existence of the Guardian Angels in Today’s Gospel: See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” Angels are real!
The Angels, whose Greek name means Messengers are pure spirits created by God with extraordinary intelligence and strength. Having no material body, the angels are immortal and can break any barrier of time and space. Moreover, they seem to be neither male nor female (Mark 13:25).
They have the mission to serve God and to watch over man. What adults had been telling us when we were children about angels following us from behind has biblical basis. According to the Bible, every man has a Guardian Angel at his side to protect him from dangers and to intercede for him before God. “For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11).
What adults told us when we were children about angels crying when we do bad is not without basis. The angels can act upon our senses and imagination but cannot touch our will. Thus, the final decision for every action rests on our freedom.
Many people have dismissed the presence of angels as a cute idea to entice children to do good. They do exist, not to be our protectors but also to be our spirit-directors. You must have forgotten this bedtime Angel’s prayer. Would you like to try it at least today? “Angel of God my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, Ever this day be at my side, to light and to guard, to rule and to guide. Amen”. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M