Readings: Job 38:1-12-21,40:3-5, Ps. 139, Matt.18:1-5.10
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR 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 has set before us. Their function is to be our guide and protector in our constant struggle against the war that rages in our souls. In these angels, 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 more 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 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 favour of God. For God communicates his message to us through their mediation.
This is what we see in the life of Job in our first reading, where we heard how Job, although he was suffering and passing through many troubles, including his friends who abandoned him and even accused him of wrongdoing, remained committed to God in righteousness without blaming either God or the people for his misfortune. For he said: My words have been frivolous: what can I reply? I had better lay my finger on my lips. I have spoken once… I will not speak again; More than once… I will add nothing.
Thereby teaching each and every one of us how to cooperate with our guardian Angels to respond and react in the moment of trials and difficulties. Thus, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus tells us to be humble like little children in following the directives of our Guardian Angels. He also warned us not to mislead the little children in their faith or harm them, for their Angels in heaven are constantly interceding for them.
Dear friends, God has always provided and protected us. He often sends his Angels before us, but what is your relationship with your guardian angels? We need to have a good relationship with our guardian angels so they are always there to help us in our struggles. All we have to do is trust in the Lord and follow the directives that our Guardian Angels have proposed for us. 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 cannot 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, we may always find favour in your sight and before men. Let us 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.
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