Pixabay (2017), CC0 Public Domain[/caption]
The angel said with a hint of disgust, “Lord, it is a new year, this man commitments multiple transgressions and yet you send me down to help him again and again? I see no purpose to this. There are others worthy of my time.”
God said benevolently, “2018, 1965, 2049; years and time do not serve my purpose other than to mark moments for my children. I see what you cannot. I appreciate that you see others worthy of your time, that speaks to your productivity. But it does not speak to your compassion or faith.”
The angel replied, “Compassion is a skill I am continuously working on; please accept my apology for my rash thinking. I know I am here to guide and protect your flock, and this man in particular. In no way am I questioning you, I am learning and seeking to understand. I have no lack of faith. This man, however: he questions his faith in you, he lies, he is selfish, his own thoughts betray him, and yet he has been saved many times by myself in the decades of his existence.”
God said strongly, “I thank you for your input and dedication. Your thoughts are valued and you correctly see circumstances as they are in relation to this man. I again say, I see what you cannot. You see actions and experiences in light of how they are, I see far beyond that. This may seem to be a ruse to you; however, this is the basis of faith.”
The angel looked meekly down absorbing God’s word.
“Do not feel low for having been reminded of true faith. This man has continuously sinned but he also has done much good. It is easy to focus on the negative and it is human to wonder if he can be transformed. He doubts himself and is constantly looking to soothe himself through pleasure. But it is fleeting pleasure. It takes that much more to fill his void.”
God let a quiet moment go by and asked, “Do you think this man still believes?”
The angel did not hesitate, “Yes.”
“Then hold your chest out, guide, teach, and illuminate, and help my flock.”
For how many times I fail God, I picture the above conversation about me. In so many instances when I make bad choices the consequences could have gone so much worse. It boggles my mind as to how I get out of some predicaments. Some may call this good luck or coincidence.
I do not believe in either. What I do believe in since the age of seven is that I have a guardian angel and faith in God’s plan for me. I do wonder how He stands by me and why my angel cares. The point is, they do care. God is always with us and has provided each of us with an angel.
To learn more about angels, watch the video by Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. titled "Make Friends with Angels" from the Feast of the Guardian Angels, October 2, 2017.
It is a new year with fresh resolutions, people close to us, our own actions, may not hold up to the bar God has set or we have set. We will encounter failure. We can turn to prayer. We can also reach out to our guardian angel. The thought I advise against is to think of this holy entity as a genie. Our angels do not grant wishes. Instead, I prefer Padre Pio’s assessment or what these angels do for us:
“Your Guardian Angel prays for you; offers to God all the good works you accomplish; your holy and pure desires.”
Have a safe and blessed 2018.
Copyright 2018 Peter Serzo
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