Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Feast of the Guardian Angels.
Readings: Exodus 23:20-23, Psalm 91, Matthew 18:1-5;10
Theme: VALUABLE BEFORE GOD.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Holy Guardian Angels. It is based on the belief that God assigns an angel to each soul, including Christians and non Christians, to give guidance throughout it’s life on earth. Paul V was the first Pope, in 1608, to authorize a feast day in honor of the Guardian Angels. Pope Clement X changed the date to 2nd October and Leo XIII, in 1883, upgraded the date to a major least.
God created us in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27) and the Psalmist praises God; “what are human beings, that you think of them; mere mortals, that you care for them…you crowned them with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:4-5). This shows how great a human being is and every one created by God, He has been assigned as a guardian, whether you believe it or not; since it is biblically grounded in the Old and New Testament. Jesus raised this to encourage the Apostles and all of us His followers as we are always threatened by fears and worries.
Similarly the Apostles were grappling with the questions of who is the greatest and most important in the Kingdom of God. The Apostles had the influence of the Jews who believed that only the highest angels and not the lower angels regularly saw God’s glory. Jesus took a child and explained this fact to them. A child knows that it is always important to the parents because they care about his or her needs and wants. Similarly, Jesus is telling us today that we are all important and valuable before God. God has assigned angels to watch over us.
It is only when we understand this fact of our importance, of being valuable before God that we shall stop struggling to become important or to question who is important since we are already special and valuable before God.
1. Do we believe in our Holy Guardian Angels and do we seek their intercession as we pray each day?
2. Do we have questions of who is great among us in our families and communities? Does this sometimes affect our relationships and way of doing things/ duties assigned to us?
We are challenged to become a Christian community where we consider others as our precious brothers and sisters, irrespective of their age, tribe, political party, religion, race or language.
Relatedly, as God has assigned the angels to watch over us, there is an intercessor for us as well. This is the Blessed Virgin Mary who was assigned to us by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Cross (John 19:26-27). In the Memorare we pray “Remember, O most loving virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided“. We are invited with faith and hope to pray the Rosary daily during this Marian month of October with commitment and devotion.
Pope Pius XI, had this to say on the daily devotion to the Rosary: “The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…if you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors”. Do you still doubt the power of the Rosary?
Grant us, O Lord, the craving to be sincere and faithful to you. Amen!
Fr. Kwehangana Bagubwa Mathias.