Memorial of the
Holy Guardian Angels
(Job 19:21-27; Matthew 18:1-5.10)
What is it about little children that Jesus wants us to
emulate? Perhaps it is their acquisitiveness. In the supermarket often enough children load
the cart with their own selections. Or maybe
it is children’s penchant for trying the limits of their parents. They are likely to make irritating noises
until their parents explode with anger. Of
course, these behaviors are hardly what the Lord is recommending. More likely, Jesus wants his disciples to
recognize that they need God as much as children need their parents.
Today’s gospel passage is not so much a demonstration for
the existence of Guardian Angels as it is a call for people to repent of
egotism. They are to realize that they
need God to attain the happiness that they so much long for. They will meet God in response to their call when
they stop showing pretense. They will realize
then that God sends angels not just to children but to adults who choose
humility.
We become like children when we get on our knees to
pray. We become like children when we
thank God not just before meals but repeatedly for the many graces we receive. Finally, we become like children – the best
of them at least – when we can share the little we have with others.
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