10/2/2014 – Thursday of 26th week in ordinary time – Guardian Angels – Matthew 18:1-5, 10

       We often want to be the best and the greatest we can be, don’t we?  But when the disciples approach Jesus with this attitude, that they want to be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, he brings a child in their midst, and tells them that they have to become like this child in order to enter into God’s kingdom.  

         Sometime children believe in things that some adults have a hard time believing.  As we know, we in the Catholic Church believe in angels. And angels are just not for children to believe in. We see angels as spiritual being who were created by God.  Our English word “angel” comes from the Greek word “angelos”, which means “messenger”.  God sends out his angels to carry special messages for him. Just this past Monday, we celebrated the feast of the Archangels – Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel.  Today, we celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels.  We see the role of the guardian angel as to guide us to good thoughts, in good works, and in good words, to keep us from succumbing to sins and to evil. Since the 17th century, the Church has celebrated a feast honoring the Guardian Angels in October.  We talk about how our American society is becoming more secular, but I was looking at an article from Time Magazine that quoted statistics from a study on religious belief in American conducted by Baylor University, which stated that 55% of those surveyed agreed with the statement that “I was protected from harm by a guardian angel.”  Those conducting the survey were surprised at the response, especially in light of all our technology and scientific knowledge. 
         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 our prayers, we communicate with God.  We develop and grow in our faith through our prayers.  May the angels and the saints hear our prayers and pray for us as members of God’s kingdom.