Tuesday, October 1, 2013

10/2/2013 – The Guardian Angels – Wednesday of 26th week in Ordinary Time – Matthew 18:1-5, 10

      Having the heart of a child to receive the Kingdom of God – that is the message Jesus gives us in the Gospel today.  We think of the enthusiasm and joy in which children see God, in which they enjoy reaching out to others.
      As we celebrate the memorial of the Guardian Angels today, we think about how we in the Catholic Church believe in angels.  And I see angels as beings the heart of a child believes in.  We see angels as spiritual beings who were created by God.  C. Our English word “angel” comes from the Greek word “angelos”, which means “messenger”.  God sends out his angels to carry special messages for him.  We see the role of the guardian angel as guides to lead us to good thoughts, good works, and good words, to keep us from succumbing to evil.  Since the 17th century, the Church has celebrated a feast honoring the Guardian Angels in October.  It is interesting, noting that many in the ancient world, including the Assyrians and the Babylonians, believed in guardian angels.  In a study done by Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion, more than half of all adults, including one in five of those who say they are not religious, believe that they have been protected by a guardian angel during their life – what a very interesting statistic.   
      I love the prayer to the Guardian Angels.  It is a favorite prayer of many Catholic children, and many Catholic adults remember this prayer from their childhood: 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 and rule and guide. Amen. 
       In the prayers that we pray, we communicate with God, we develop and grow in our faith.  May the angels and the saints hear our prayers and intercede for us as members of the kingdom of God. 

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