Monday, October 01, 2007

 

Memorial, Guardian Angels

October 2 2007
Memorial, Guardian Angels
Tuesday 26th Week in Ordinary Time - Year I


ZECHARIAH 8:20-23
Thus says the LORD of hosts: There shall yet come peoples, the
inhabitants of many cities; and the inhabitants of one city shall
approach those of another, and say, "Come! let us go to implore the
favor of the LORD"; and, "I too will go to seek the LORD." Many
peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in
Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of
hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different
tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of
his garment and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God
is with you."

LUKE 9:51-56
When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely
determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of
him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his
reception there, but they would not welcome him because the
destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and
John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from
heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they
journeyed to another village.

REFLECTION
William Barclay points out that the Jews of Jesus' day had a highly-
developed angelology. Every nation had its guarding angel. The Jews,
for instance, looked to Michael, the Archangel, as their nation's
guardian. There was an angel for every natural force, for wind and
rain and lightning and thunder. They even claimed that an angel was
appointed as guardian to each blade of grass - so much love did the
God who made the universe have for each of the creatures he made. The
Jews therefore also believed that every child had its own guardian
angel.

When Matthew reports Jesus as saying, "I assure you, [children's
guardian] angels in heaven constantly behold my heavenly Father's
face," he has in mind the image of a royal court. Only the most
favored courtiers and officials and ministers are given access to the
royal presence. So important to God are children, that their angel
protectors are among those to whom he has granted this special access.

Tradition assures us that the guardian angel hovers over the crib of
the newborn baby and holds the hand of the little toddler. But
tradition also teaches that the angel guardian accompanies the
teenager through the confusion and pains of puberty. He remains with
each of us as we enter adulthood and career, strengthening us against
the onslaught of Satan and his evil spirits. He has been with each of
us for as many years as we have had life, always supporting,
strengthening, building us up. It is not only little children, infants
and toddlers, whom our angels protect. They have been to all of us
lifelong companions.

It's a pity then is it not, that devotion to the guardian angel has
been restricted, for the most part, to the religious life of children.
For devotion to these angels would provide adults with companionship,
support, and wise counseling, as evil confronts us in our struggle to
build God's kingdom.


PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
... for the strength, healing and speedy recovery of:
- Damaso Guevara
- Epifania Ylaya and Rexon Ylaya
- Catalina de Leon
... for the personal intentions of:
- Guevara family
- San Juan de Dios Hospital
... Good health: Elsa & Paolo
... for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Fidel & Corazon Santos
- Ed Gormley
- Cristina, Rosvie & Aljohn
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Stephanie Nicole O. Go
... for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!


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