Memorial of the Guardian Angels
(Zechariah 8:1-8; Matthew 18:1-5.10)
Children in Catholic schools used to be told to make room on
their benches for their guardian angels.
Since angels are pure spirits, they do not occupy space. But the admonition conscientized the children
to the presence of angels that Jesus notes in today’s gospel.
Angels are pure spirits.
Acknowledging their presence confirms one’s belief that a realm beyond
the physical world exists. Christian
belief extends much beyond that. It
believes that the spiritual has sway over the physical. The gospel further testifies that angels take
their cue from a benevolent God who dearly cares for human beings.
The church does not dwell long on angels. Friday’s Feast of the Archangels and today’s memorial
of Guardian Angels are the only two such celebrations in the liturgical. Yet the Church does well to hold angels up as
testimony of God’s inestimable love for us.
