As children, we’re usually taught the Prayer to the Guardian Angels. We usually pray this as we go to bed. They say that it’s a reminder that our guardian angels are watching over us as we sleep. But our guardian angels work beyond our sleeping hours. Did you hear of an instance when a baby fell off the bed but was unharmed? Or a serious car accident but no one got hurt? People say their guardian angels were at work. 

The word angel means messenger. What message does God want to convey? That He cares for us through our guardian angels. When we’re afraid, confused, or in need of guidance and wisdom, our guardian angels give us courage, direction, and enlightenment. God wants to tell us that we are , dearly loved and never alone. 

Let’s bring back the little child in us who has great faith in God. Let’s live a life of happiness knowing we are dearly loved. 

Mia Bueno (buenos@yahoo.com)

reflect

When did you feel that your guardian angel protected you? Remember to pray to your guardian angel today.

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.

Guardian Angels, pray for us.

First Reading | Nehemiah 8:1-4, 5-6, 7-12 (or Exodus 23:20-23)

Nehemiah wants to go home and begin the enormous task of restoring Israel to its former glory. However, this will never happen. He is permitted to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls, but it is a task that continues even today. And so it is with the life of holiness. We will never achieve total holiness, but we must continue with the task and the journey. 

¹ The whole people gathered as one in the open space before the Water Gate, and they called upon Ezra the scribe to bring forth the book of the law of Moses which the Lord prescribed for Israel. ² On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. ³ Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. ⁴ Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. ⁵ He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it (for he was standing higher up than any of the people); and, as he opened it, all the people rose. 6 Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground. ⁷ As the people remained in their places, ⁸ Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. ⁹ Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep”—for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. ¹⁰ He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” ¹¹ And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened.” ¹² Then all the people went to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11 (or Psalm 91:1-2, 3-4, 4-6, 10-11)

R: The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

⁸ The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) ⁹ The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) ¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) ¹¹ They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 18:1-5, 10 (or Luke 10:1-12)

Let us be inspired by the faith of little children and place our faith and trust in angels sent by God to protect us from danger and evil. Let us never look scornfully at those who have a simple and maybe naïve faith, but be inspired to simplify our lives and follow Jesus more closely.

Gospel Acclamation

Bless the Lord, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.

¹ The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” ² He called a child over, placed it in their midst, ³ and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and becomelike children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. ¹⁰ “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.”

Reflect:

How can you simplify your life? What are the blessings of a simple life?

Read the Bible in one year! Read DANIEL 7 - 9 today.

Angels Are Real

Most of us were told when we were young that there are angels around us. But as we get older, we lose our consciousness of their presence in our lives. As adults, we only think of angels as those sweet-faced images or figures with wings, but the fact is, angels do exist—they are real.

Why should we believe in angels? Because Jesus Himself said so in the Gospel: “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.” 

There have been many mentions of angels in the Scriptures, some of which relate to Jesus: (1) an angel (Gabriel) visited the Blessed Virgin Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of the Savior; (2) when Jesus was born, an angel was there in the manger, announcing the good news of His birth; (3) a multitude of angels sang the “Gloria”; (4) angels also ministered to Jesus after the forty days and nights that He was tempted in the desert; as well as when (5) He was agonizing by the garden of Gethsemane.

Even Pope Benedict XVI believed that from the beginning of human life until death, God has assigned each one of us an angel to watch over and protect us. In the same way, we can consider a loved one who has gone ahead of us as an angel, albeit not in its pure sense. As they are already spirit and have been given the grace to behold the face and glory of God in eternity, we can ask them to intercede and pray for us. 

Therefore, angels are like God’s representatives beside us, behind us, and surrounding us, who make us feel His divine care, love, and constant protection here on earth. 

Fr. Jason Laguerta

reflection questions

Have you had any experience of angels in your life? Who are those you consider as your 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, to rule and guide. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________