Tuesday, October 02, 2007

The Holy Guardian Angels, 2 October


The feast of the Holy Guardian Angels was put on 2 October 1615. It reminds us of the providence of God for everyone on earth.
Jesus’ teaching always employs examples that the people could understand that were drawn from their daily experiences or common knowledge.
The idea that people had angel guardians was somewhat common in Jesus’ day. St. Michael, the Archangel, was considered the guardian of Israel.
See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven. Scripture scholars make these “little ones” out to by symbolic of the members of the Christian community, not just children in a sentimental fashion---sentimentality didn’t exist then, anyway. What it tells us is that all of us are in the presence, that is, present to God, who loves us and works constantly of our salvation, therefore we must always consider ourselves to be little ones in the kingdom of God.