Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

[Jesus said] “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.”

The gospel passage for this feast is really about greatness in the kingdom of heaven, and the need for humility in one’s life. Jesus uses a child as an example of littleness and concludes by saying that one should not despise “these little ones” because their angels look on the face of God. Since references to angels are rare in the gospels, there were few alternatives to choose from.

Angels are mentioned far more frequently in the Bible. Some even have famous names. We have Gabriel, mentioned in the gospels regarding the birth of Jesus. Raphael features in the book of Tobit. We also trust that the angels carry our prayers to heaven. Appropriating what Raphael said to Tobias: “When you prayed along with your daughter-in-law Sara, I offered the memory of your prayer in the sight of God” (Tobit 12:12).

The Bible mentions angels in many other places. For example: “He will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11). God has not left us alone in our struggle “to refuse evil and to choose good” (Isaiah 7:15). “The angels are his ‘ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation’” (Hebrews 1:14).

Believing in angels means believing that God assures us always of divine protection. They fight on our behalf even without our knowing. They are God’s messengers of defense against evil spirits and, often, they also act as our conscience, preventing us from making wrong decisions.

How conscious are we of the constant protection God affords us?

Let Us Pray:

O Jesus, make me more aware of the loving protection you offer me through the angelic spirits you send to guide me.