October 2--Memorial of the Guardian Angels

"Angel of God,

my guardian dear,

To whom God's love

commits me here,

Ever this day,

be at my side,

To light and guard,

Rule and guide.

Amen."

When we speak of the Guardian Angels, many of us may think of the simple prayer cited above. But Guardian Angels are not cute little cherubs with apple cheeks looking after children. They look after each one of us, every day, every where. God gives us so many ways to follow him. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit within us. We have the gift of conscience. We have the gift of the Church and the Communion of Saints. And we have the gift of our Guardian Angels.

How do our Guardian Angels help us? They could guide us to make good choices. They may look over us and protect us from evil. They definitely pray to God for us. Jesus said, “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" (Mt. 18:10). We may not be aware of their presence, but they know us. Won't it be great to know our Guardian Angels as they know us? We will eventually. We should thank them for their guardianship. We should also thank God for his benevolence in providing us a soldier to always be at our side, "To light, to guard, to rule, to guide."