Bar 1:15-22
During the Babylonian captivity, the exiles prayed:“Justice is with the Lord, our God;and we today are flushed with shame,we men of Judah and citizens of Jerusalem,that we, with our kings and rulersand priests and prophets, and with our ancestors,have sinned in the Lord’s sight and disobeyed him.We have neither heeded the voice of the Lord, our God,nor followed the precepts which the Lord set before us.From the time the Lord led our ancestors out of the land of Egyptuntil the present day,we have been disobedient to the Lord, our God,and only too ready to disregard his voice.And the evils and the curse that the Lord enjoined upon Moses, his servant,at the time he led our ancestors forth from the land of Egyptto give us the land flowing with milk and honey,cling to us even today.For we did not heed the voice of the Lord, our God,in all the words of the prophets whom he sent us,but each one of us went offafter the devices of his own wicked heart,served other gods,and did evil in the sight of the Lord, our God.”
Gospel
Mt 18:1-5, 10
The disciples approached Jesus and said,“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.Whoever humbles himself like this childis the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,for I say to you that their angels in heavenalways look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
Meditation:
Matthew 18:1-5,10
The Guardian Angels
People who are rich and famous often have a retinue of people to watch over them—bodyguards, personal trainers, agents, and the like. But if we had the spiritual vision to penetrate beyond outward appearances, we’d be able to see that it’s not only the wealthy who have helpers. As the fourth-century bishop St. Basil pointed out, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life.”
Think about it: Whatever you’re doing right now, however you’re feeling today, you can count on a guardian angel whose special assignment is to help and protect you. This isn’t wishful thinking. It’s a reality that Christians came to understand early on as they reflected on Jesus’ teaching about the “little ones” whose “angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Matthew 18:10).
Like the other angels, your guardian is a pure spirit—an immortal being who has intelligence and will, but no body. And maybe it’s not all bad that you can’t see him: When angels do appear to people in the Bible, they usually inspire fear (see Daniel 3:92; Luke 1:11; Mark 16:5)!
The angels’ dazzling glory comes from being so close to God. They are his servants and messengers, and everything they do is in accord with God’s will. This means that you won’t get this helper to do something that goes against God’s loving plan for your life.
On the other hand, your guardian angel is utterly committed to serving your highest good, so it makes sense to ask him for help. Guardian angels intercede for us, guide us, and protect us against physical and spiritual dangers. As wholehearted worshipers of God, praising him and beholding his face even as they look after us, they can help us raise our hearts to God no matter how well or poorly our day is going.
Powerful, glorious, totally committed to God—how awesome that at God’s command, these heavenly guardians are always at our side. As St. Thomas Aquinas marveled, “The angels work together for the benefit of us all.”
“Father, thank you for giving me a guardian angel to help me and watch over me. Help me to make the most of this precious gift so that I can praise and love you together with all the angels and saints—now and for eternity.”
Baruch 1:15-22; Psalm 79:1-5,8-9
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