Daily Gospel Reflection for August 12, 2014

Today's Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks to his disciples about true greatness.  He admonishes them to become like children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.  He instructs them to take special care of the smallest among us because they are precious to the Father.  In explaining to his disciples why all of God’s children are precious to him, Jesus holds up each child’s personal guardian angel.    

“For I say to you that their angels in heaven

always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” 

God loves all of us so much, even the smallest among us, that He gifts us with a guardian angel to watch over us.  Those angels assigned to guide and protect us are already in heaven, gazing “upon the face of my heavenly Father.”  Through the gift of our guardian angels, each and every one of us has a direct link to the eternal now. 

If you have never spent any time considering your guardian angel, spend some time reading paragraphs 328-336 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Angels are a gifts from God, a “truth of faith,” and we ought to call upon them as our guardians who protect us.  They are sent to serve all of us on our journey toward salvation (Hebrews 1:14).  “Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan” (CCC 332).  

Each of us is part of that history of salvation.  If angels are pure spirit designed as God’s servants and messengers, imagine the joy they must feel to be called upon by us.

“Guardian angel, please be with us today as we pray about making this difficult decision.”

Perhaps someone else you know is needing special guidance and protection.  Enlist their guardian angel!

“John’s guardian angel, please guide and protect him as he enters the Church.  Along with St. Michael the Archangel, help him with any spiritual warfare he may face.”

“Elizabeth’s guardian angel, please be with her as she enters hospice care.  Help her to suffer well.”

Ponder:

Do you believe Jesus when he says that each of us has a guardian angel?  How can you foster a devotion to your guardian angel?

Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of my guardian angel.  Please humble me enough to receive the gift of my guardian angel’s guidance and protection.  Ask my angel to guide and protect me all the days of my life until I too can “look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

Copyright 2014 Catherine Boucher