God cares for us

Memorial of the Guardian Angels 

Just 3 days ago, we celebrated the Feast of the Archangels, Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. These are the three angels named in the bible. Today, we celebrate a smaller feast (what the Church calls a 'memorial'), the feast of our guardian angels.

The term guardian angels refers to the belief that each person has an angel who is available to shepherd their soul through life, and help bring them to God. In short, a guardian angel is an angel assigned to protect and guide a particular person. Without dwelling on the various passages in the New Testament where the doctrine of guardian angels is suggested, it may suffice to mention the angel who succoured Christ in the garden, and the angel who delivered St. Peter from prison. Hebrews 1:14 puts the doctrine in its clearest light: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?" This is the function of the guardian angels; they are to lead us, if we wish it, to the Kingdom of Heaven.

If you ever wonder whether God cares for you? Today's feast reminds us that God cares for us each, individually. God has assigned a specific guardian angel to watch over us night and day (Ps 34:7, Mt 18:10, Ac 12:15). I guess the greatest challenge for us today is the acknowledgment of God's guardian angels to us. We always have the tendency to ignore them. Let us take advantage of this - for we are not alone in life! Our guardian angel is always with us!

Everyday when we rise to go about our day and make a morning offering let us thank God for His mercy and pray that our guardian angel protects our body and soul in the day ahead. 

Post Note: 

This is the traditional Catholic prayer to one's guardian angel.

Angel of God, my guardian dear
to whom God's love commits me here.
Ever this day/night be at my side
to light, to guard, to rule and guide.

Amen. 

God's Angels watch over us

Feast of Archangels: Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

Angels are an essential part of the Christian faith. They are a "truth of the faith" and are mentioned over a hundred times in the Bible. Today the Church's liturgy celebrates the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. But apart from Catholicism, angels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Michael is the only archangel named in the Bible as recognized by both Jews and Christians. Gabriel, named in Luke, is considered to be an archangel, as are Raphael (mentioned in the Book of Tobit) and Uriel (mentioned in the Book of Enoch).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say about angels in general:“The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls ‘angels’ is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition. St. Augustine says: ‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ’spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’: from what they are , ’spirit’ from what they do ‘angel.’ With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they ‘always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven’ they are the ‘might ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word.”

As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.”

As we celebrate this wonderful feast, we are also reminded that God's Angels watch over us as his guardians. We are not alone in our struggle against sin and evil in the world. The armies of heaven fight for us and with us in the spiritual battle for our hearts, minds and wills. Though we may not see Him, here is a God who protects, guides, and reveals himself to us.