The Gospel according to Matthew (18:1-5, 10)
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “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 is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “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.”
REFLECTION:
Today is the Memorial for Guardian Angels. So, I ask the question; “Are Guardian Angels real”? There are Scripture readings that support it by countless examples and events. The Catechism teaches us from an early age to feel this presence on our side and to trust in it. ‘From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their (the angels) watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united to God. ‘ -Catechism of the Catholic Church; 336.
When I was a child, my parents taught me the prayer to my Guardian Angel. I think it was the first prayer that I learned from memory. Then in High School, there was an Irish Christian Brother named Brother Carr, who was from Ireland, and we developed this special bond. Any chance I got after school, in between practices, games, and activities (and detention); I would go visit Brother and help him with whatever he needed, and we would just have nice chats. Through our conversations, Brother Carr would talk about the Holy Spirit and the aid of our Guardian Angel. He said that these Guardian Angels are personal and assigned to guide us to the Trinitarian God. They helped us to make the right decisions or maybe is a “Gut Instinct”. Guardian angels are the special angels assigned to human beings, helping us throughout our lives. They protect us from physical danger and, more importantly, from spiritual danger.
Our Angel ‘s role is precious and important. As a silent and trustworthy advisor, our angel stays by our side, trying to advise us for the best, to suggest the right path to follow, to obtain salvation, to deserve paradise, and above all to be good people and good Christians.
Our Angel fights on our side with all his strength. Our Angel is a warrior, a strong and courageous fighter, who ranks at our side in every battle of life and protects us when we are too fragile to do it alone. Our guardian angel is also our personal messenger, charged with bringing our messages to God, and vice versa. It is to the angels that God addresses himself in communicating with us. Their job is to make us understand his Word and move us in the right direction. St. John Vianney said; “How happy is that Guardian Angel who accompanies a soul to Holy Mass.”
Even today I still pray to my Guardian Angel. I think about all those lessons that I learned from Brother Carr and to honor and respect our personal guide. I have always wondered if I will ever meet my Guardian Angel so I can thank him and apologize to him for all the things that I put him through. So, are Guardian Angels real? ABSOLUTELY YES!
ACTION OF THE DAY: Take time to recite the prayer, listen to each word, maybe even repeat it, and then ask your Guardian Angel … What message do you have for me today?
Prayer: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, rule, and guide. Amen.
Audio Reflection:
