October 2, 2014

Guardian Angels

October 2, 2014:  Guardian Angels

Look
  • 'Hands' tie:  "the hand of God has struck me!" (1st reading); angels will support you with their hands... (psalm)
  • 'Stone' tie pin:  ...lest you strike your foot against a stone.  (psalm)
  • 'Angel' pin:  Guardian angels (today's celebration)
  • 'Children' pin:  “Unless you turn and become like children, you won't enter the Kingdom.  Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom." (gospel)
  • White and green in shirt:  white for angels' memorial, green for Ordinary Time season
Listen

  • Angels/ Amy Grant (Guardian Angels "watching over us")
Today's images:  angel and child.  God placed an angel by our side to watch over us:  If you think you can walk on your own, you're arrogant like Adam, and mistaken.  The first bishops were tempted by careerism; Jesus taught them to have a child's attitude, docility, recognizing their need for help.  Children listen to their guardian angel with an open and docile heart.
You don't journey alone; don't think you're alone:  our guardian angels, our ever-present traveling companions tell us, 'I should do this, not that; be careful...."  We're all arrogant and independent and want to rebel, but we should follow their advice!  If we don't, it's like saying, "Go away!"  We need them to advise us.  Ask, "How's my relationship with the guardian angel by my side whom God sent to watch over and accompany me and who always sees the heavenly Father's face?  Do I say good morning?  listen?  speak?  ask for advice?  pray, 'watch over me I sleep?'"
Read
    Guardian angel
    from today's readings
    Click here for animation
  • Jb 19:21-27  Job:  Pity me, friends; God's hand struck me!  Why do you hound me as if you were divine, and prey on me?  I know my Vindicator lives; from my flesh I shall see God.  I'm consumed with longing.
  • Ex 23:20-23  Heed the angel I send to go before, guard, and lead you.
  • Ps 27:7-8-9abc, 13-14  "I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living."  Hear my call, have pity, and answer me.  Don't repel me or hide.  Wait for the Lord with courage.
  • Ps 91:1-6, 10-11  "The Lord has put angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways."  God will rescue, shelter, and shield you.
  • Mt 18:1-5, 10  Disciples / Jesus:  “Who's the greatest in the Kingdom?” / “Unless you turn and become like children, you won't enter the Kingdom.  Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom, and whoever receives one such as this in my name receives me.  Don't despise these little ones; their angels in heaven look upon my Father's face.”
Walk the talk
Join @kind_spring's just-launched 21-day kindness challenge, #kindspring21
Reflect
    • Creighton:  Psalmist:  “Wait for the Lord.”  Wait.  Nobody likes to wait.  We live in an instant gratification world.  Not a culture that encourages reflection or patience.  The disciples are a great example of this.  My prayer today is for all of us who need to slow down.  That we would take time and make ourselves available to God.  That we would open our hearts to whatever God would call us to do.  That we would be obedient and trust boldly.  That we would ask God questions and wait on the Lord for guidance, wisdom and answers.
    • Passionist:  Angels, God's messengers, challenge us to maintain our own dialogue with God, e.g. in prayer, meditation, scripture study....
    • DailyScripture.net:  God dwells with the lowly and regards them with compassion.  Angels are God's messengers and our protectors.  Angels show us the universe is spiritual as well as material:  St. John Chrysostom compared guardian angels to troops defending the city.  St. Basil:  "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life."  The devil seeks to destroy us or at least divert us from doing God's will, but God gives us spiritual protection in angels and spiritual weapons (Eph 6:1-11).
    • Universalis:  That every individual has a guardian angel is present in both Old and New Testaments.  This feast reminds God cares for each of us individually.
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