Homily For Thursday, Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C, 2nd October, 2025. The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

 

Readings: Neh. 8:1-12; Ps.19; Matt.18:1-5.10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CELEBRATING OUR HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS

As humans, we often experience some level of favour, providence and protection which we do not expect. Sometimes we wonder how we managed to escape some dangerous actions on our way or what has inspired and sustained us in doing great works.

The answer to this question is found in the memorial we are celebrating today, that is, our Holy Guardian Angels whom God had set before us, to be our guide and protector in our constant struggle against war that rages in our souls. In this angel we celebrate God’s loving care for each and every one of us, for God sends them to guide and to protect us. They are higher beings than us, but God put them at our service.

The angels have one goal in mind, which is the glorification of God, which, for our sake, consists in our salvation and sanctification. They are prepared to do anything to procure our salvation and increase our sanctification. So, angels do protect us physically, but more than that, they protect us spiritually, especially guiding and protecting our souls from the danger of sin and condemnation.

The angels do this by putting in us a holy fear, or contempt for those evils we know we should avoid. They enlighten our minds in order to help us to know the good we ought to do and the evil we are to avoid, this they do by acting upon the sensible part of our souls, our emotions and sentiments, and so inspire us with joy, peace and the favour of God. For God communicates his message to us through their mediation.

Thus, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus tells us to be humble like little children in following the directives of our Guardian Angels and not be rebellious. As he also warned us from misleading the little children in their faith or in harming them, for their Angels in heaven are constantly interceding for them. He said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Little wonder in our first reading we heard how this rebellious attitude of the human person brought about the capture and exile of the people of Israel. But having gained their freedom, they decided to hear and meditate on the word and laws of God, which, when the word was read and interpreted, they mourned, but Ezra said to all the people, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.’ For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.

Dear friends, God has always provided for us and protected us. He often sends his Angels before us. All we have to do is to trust in the Lord and follow the directives that our Guardian Angels have proposed for us. Because, they are always before God interceding and praying constantly for us.

They often speak to us and communicate the message of God to us, but we are often too busy and distracted by the noisy things of this passing world, which the devil has been using to lead us astray. We can not give in to his schemes if we remain faithful and attentive to our Holy Guardian Angels.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of our Guardian Angels, today we ask that through their intercession may we always find favour in your sight and before men, and always be defended by their protection and rejoice eternally in their company as we say: Angel of God, our guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits us here. Ever this day be at our side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. Have a fruitful day.