Reading 1
Jb 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17
Job answered the LORD and said:
I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.
I have dealt with great things that I do not understand;
things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.
I had heard of you by word of mouth,
but now my eye has seen you.
Therefore I disown what I have said,
and repent in dust and ashes.
Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job
more than his earlier ones.
For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels,
a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.
And he had seven sons and three daughters,
of whom he called the first Jemimah,
the second Keziah, and the third Kerenhappuch.
In all the land no other women were as beautiful
as the daughters of Job;
and their father gave them an inheritance
along with their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years;
and he saw his children, his grandchildren,
and even his great-grandchildren.
Then Job died, old and full of years.
Ps 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130
Responsorial PsalmR.
(135) Lord, let your face shine on me.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may know your decrees.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
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 child
is 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 heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
Meditation: Matthew 18:1-5,10
The Guardian Angels
Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. (Matthew 18:10)
We think of the angels as messengers from God, and so they are. This is what the word for angel means in both Greek and Hebrew. Archangel Gabriel delivers birth announcements to Zechariah and to Mary. An angel brings strength to Jesus in his agony. Another brings news of his resurrection to the women at the tomb. Peter, Philip, Paul, and John the Evangelist receive divine direction and insight through the words of an angel.
But angels don’t work only with great saints. Each of us has a guardian angel as well. Maybe you have experienced this great blessing for yourself. But even if you can’t point to any “touched by an angel” encounters in your life, the reality is that you have a devoted spiritual friend at your side, someone whose special assignment is to protect, encourage, guide, and help you on your journey to heaven. Think of your angel as a specially chosen gift from God—your prayer partner, cheerleader, personal trainer, and spiritual bodyguard.
But don’t forget, your guardian angel is your messenger, too. He makes round-trips, both from heaven to you and from you back to the throne of God! St. Francis de Sales wrote in his Introduction to the Devout Life: “Since God often sends us inspirations by means of his angels, we should also send our aspirations back to him through the same messengers.” So think for a minute: What aspiration, prayer, plea, or expression of love might you entrust to your angel’s delivery services today?
So today, open your heart to your spiritual friend. Take a tip from St. Francis de Sales, and “get to know the angels very well,” with special attention to your own guardian angel and the angels of the people you live with. “See how they are often present, though invisible, in your life,” and make frequent use of their help. And finally, rejoice that God loves you so much that he commands “angels to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).
“Father, thank you for the gift of my guardian angel! Help me to grow in my friendship with him so that I may grow in my friendship with you.”
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