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."

September 29--Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

          

"Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plain."  What's with the Christmas carol in September?  Today's feast is for three "non-humans", the archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.  Technically, they are not saints, in that they are not human, but we call them saints in honor of their holiness and because they are the only angels mentioned by name in the Bible.  Michael is mentioned in the Books of Daniel and Revelation, Gabriel in the Book of Daniel and the Gospel of Luke, and Raphael in the Book of Tobit.  Michael is the leader of God's armies to victory over evil; Gabriel announces God's will to Mary; and Raphael guides Tobias in order to heal his father Tobit.

The word angel means "messenger".  All the angels are messengers of God to share God's will with us.  According to St. Paul, there are nine choirs, or levels, of angels, each with their own function.  The veneration of the angels goes back to the Eastern Church starting with Michael in the fourth century.  Along with other other patronages, Michael is the patron of police officers, Gabriel of communication workers, and Raphael of travelers.

When we think of angels, do we think of cute, winged, creatures who fly about and are delicate and look like they can easily be broken?  Angels are God's creatures who represent God, so they are not cutesy, delicate, or able to be broken.  The name Michael means "Who is like God"?  It is a challenge and a call to worship God.  The name Gabriel means "God is my strength".  It is a call to depend on God to protect and guide us.  The name Raphael means "God heals".  It is a charge to let us be healed of all our sins by God.  Perhaps we should change the lyrics of the Christmas carol to "Angels we have heard on high, boldly, strongly, calling us" to repent and believe in the Good news of his loving salvation.