in the company of angels
"See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared." —Exodus 23:20
"Do I really have a guardian angel?" you overhear a child ask his mother. Well, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "the existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition" (Catechism, 328). The early Church fathers believed in angels, and we have kept that faith for over two-thousand years.
"Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life" (St. Basil, Catechism, 336). When Jesus spoke up for little children, He said, "I assure you, their angels in heaven constantly behold My heavenly Father's face" (Mt 18:10).
Angels of God have been known to give life-saving direction (see Gn 22:11ff). Do you trust in your guardian angel, your constant companion assigned by God, to be with you, guide and protect you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Ask for the grace to trust more, and your angel will point you to Jesus, and guide you, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to all truth (see Jn 16:13). Because your angel is in your constant company and is, simultaneously, constantly beholding your heavenly Father's face, it is in your best interest to invest some time in a personal relationship with your own guardian angel. Angels speak to us what they hear from God for our welfare (see Lk 1:19). Paying close attention to your guardian angel will provide you extraordinary benefits for all eternity.
Prayer: Father, inspire me to open the Bible today to search for the appearance of Your angels in Scripture. Give me the grace to hear the guidance given me by my own guardian angel.
Promise: "Be attentive to him and heed his voice. Do not rebel against him...My authority resides in him." —Ex 23:21
Praise: "Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels" (Catechism, 336).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 22, 2013
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