WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2, 2024
WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY SIXTH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME B
MEMORIAL OF THE GUARDIAN ANGELS
Job 9:1-12.14-16
Matthew 18:1-5.10
GUARDIAN ANGELS: OUR COMPANIONS AND INTERCESSORS.
The Church celebrates the annual feast of the guardian angels today. It is to recall and appreciate the role of these celestial creatures God has placed on each one of us to guide us in life. Their twofold roles in our life is stated in the catechism of the Catholic Church thus; ‘from infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession’. They therefore, are to guide and intercede for us in our earthly pilgrimage.
As our guide, the guardian angels watch over us, assist us in life and direct us on the right course to take, the better way to go and best actions that God desires.
As our intercessors before God, they help to plead our cause, place us before the throne of mercy and throne of Grace before God our Father, and carry our prayers to God. The gospel states the role of our guardian angels very directly when it says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my father who is in heaven.”
Our responsibility towards our guardian angels is to listen to them, work with them, and pay them the unalloyed respect and honour that they deserve as God’s messengers over us.
The gospel goes ahead to tell us how we could be close to these angels, and gain their help. It is by being like children, with total reliance, trust and humility before God. The Lord always invites us to be meek and humble like little children. Such meekness and humility are great attributes that help us to appreciate our dependence on God, the need to rest in the hands of God and never to depart from God’s presence.
Children have great trust, hope and depend confidently on and place themselves over to their guardians. That is the same attribute we must possess to be able to win life and gain from the watchful care of the guardian angels.
Before the presence of our guardian angels we must speak and act like Job who acknowledges the truth about our God, his almighty powers and omnipotence. Job answers God in humility and total submission saying “he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger; who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens, and trampled the Waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond understanding, and marvellous things without number. Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. Behold, he snatches away; who can hinder him? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” So, Job advises us to be humble and submissive, obedient, simple and meek. This is the disposition of total dependence, reliance and trust in the actions, role and watchful care of our guardian angels.
Heavenly Father, you placed over us the guardian angels who watch over us and interceed for us before your throne. Give us the grace to work and walk along with them. May our hearts incline to their instruction, follow their guidance, and be favoured by their prayers and intercession on our behalf through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
