Posted on 09/29/2007 3:35:01 PM PDT by NYer
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This coming week we approach two feast days in the Church's liturgical calendar that remind us of the significant role of the angels in the providential plan of God, and the day to day challenges of man. September 29 is the Feast Day of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, and October 2 is the memorial of the Guardian Angels.
There are hundreds of references in the Sacred Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) to these special beings, created by God as cooperators in the work of salvation. The Compendium of the Catechism teaches us about angels: "The angels are purely spiritual creatures, incorporeal, invisible, immortal, and personal beings endowed with intelligence and will. They ceaselessly contemplate God face-to-face and they glorify Him. They serve Him and are His messengers in the accomplishment of His saving mission to all." (n. 60)
The word angel means "messenger" and God uses them in many instances to communicate to mankind His saving interventions on earth: whether it is the Archangel Gabriel announcing the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, or the choirs of angels announcing the birth of the Savior to shepherds near Bethlehem. In the Old Testament the "angel of the Lord" presents to the holy Patriarchs the will of God and even delivers God's punishment for the people's infidelity. St Raphael guides the journey of Tobias to completion in accord with God's plan.
From the Scriptures the Church gleans its understanding of the different "ranks" or "choirs" of angels, giving us a sense of the myriad tasks they continue to carry out.
Scripture says we are given an angel as a guardian to watch over us and guide us. Blessed Pope John XXIII had a deep devotion to the Guardian Angels, grasping how they could be called upon to help us in our work for God in the Church. When the future Pope served in the Vatican's diplomatic service, he was often assisted by the angels. Whenever he was approaching what he thought would be a contentious meeting or negotiation, he would pray not only to his Guardian Angel, but also to the angel of the person he was meeting. Together Blessed John and the two angelic helpers would constitute a three-to-one majority, capable of winning over the heart of his would-be adversary.
For generations, Catholics in the United States concluded the celebration of Holy Mass with the prayer to St. Michael for the conversion of Russia. In the Book of Revelation, St. Michael is presented as the leader of God's heavenly host for the overthrow of Satan. The demons are fallen angels whose prideful free choice against God cost them their status in heaven. Rightly called "the father of lies," Satan never ceases to mislead souls away from the living Truth, Jesus Christ. The devil and his minions are infinitely less powerful than God, but one of the most vicious ways they harm man is by deceiving us with half truths and false gratifications that give us only passing pleasure.
Human beings are not demons but we can be seduced, and we must never fail to turn to the angels to help us. I ask you to join me in praying this prayer frequently to seek God's protection and help for our families, our diocese, and our world.
"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host cast into hell: Satan, and all the evil spirits who roam about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
All you angels, come to our aid! Mary, Queen of angels, Pray for us!
END
Indeed! For many years I doubted that until one Christmas Eve when my car was stuck in deep snow. It was a blizzard and my then 16 yr old daughter said she was going out to have a snowball fight with some friends. At the time of her announcement, the snow was falling lightly. It wasn't even that cold and, like many teens, she doffed heavy clothes in favor of blue jeans, a sweatshirt and gloves. 1/2 hour - 1 hour passed. The storm turned ugly and blizzard conditions set in. She had been gone 1 1/2 hours and the snow was falling at 3"/hr. I shouted out the front door but there was no one. In total panic, I jumped into my 15 y/o Volvo and set off in search of her. The car was front wheel drive. Once I reached the main road, the car was pointing uphill and the tires were spinning in place. Abject fear set in. I began to pray and asked my guardian angel for assistance. Immediately I noticed lights up ahead. Slowly they made their way in my direction. It was a plow! As it passed, I was able to maneuver the car to the opposite side of the road and progress uphill. Total white out conditions prevailed. I passed the street where my daughter's friend resided. There were some people walking down the road, one of which resembled my daughter. I opened the window and shouted her name! Slowly they approached the car but it was not my daughter and they had not seen her.
It was now late and darkness was setting in. Slowly I maneuvered the car around and turned back towards home. Our street had not been plowed and the snow totally emcompassed the tires of the car. I crept slowly towards home, the car fishtailing all the way. Reaching the driveway, I realized it was impassable and began shoveling a path. The snow continued unabated swirling around me and the car while the darkness settled in. Fear held me in its grip - where was my daughter. I asked my guardian angel to please send her home. Tears froze on my cheeks as I battled the accumulating snow with a cheap shovel. For some inexplicable reason, I glanced off down the road. A figure moved towards me, advancing slowly through the thick snow. I squinted, hoping to better identify it. As it progressed closer, I recognized my daughter. I dropped the shovel, ran and embraced her, my heart beating out of control with more tears freezing on my face.
Our guardian angels are there to assist us. All we need do is call on them; but we must remember that they are in service to our Lord. They cannot change His will. Over the years, I have come to appreciate the assistance of my guardian angel and thank God for it's presence in my life.
Ping!
Yes He does.
God sends us angels but the dark force sends us little demons whispering false instructions in our ears. We have to know who to listen to.
I have wondered about this before, especially when angel pins were being sold by the thousands. Where in scripture are we told that we each have a guardian angel? I can't find it.
Boy, ain’t that the truth. It is an art form to learn God’s will from evil’s will. That is for sure! Prayer, prayer, prayer and more prayer combined with a whole lot of keepin’ an eye out for God’s road signs :-). Bible helps too of course.
All that and more!!!
Psalm 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Matthew 18:10, Christians (those who believe in Christ, are the "little ones")
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
May God's will be clear for us all and His path kind if we follow His laws (if this is His will of course.).
Thank you for your post 1000, but I am looking for the passage that says we each have a guardian angel. You know one on one, like basketball. LOL
sorry, that’s it,lol
This is not true on several levels. The word "angels" is written less than 100 times in Scripture, but we're familiar with the RCC penchant for increasing the number of things between God and men so the exaggeration is no surprise.
created by God as cooperators in the work of salvation"
Where's the Scripture for that boast?
Christ on the cross is all the "cooperation" anyone needs.
why in the handy-dandy scripture generator! let me "rev" it up and I'll get back to you! (not)
What is truly and sadly amazing is how you spit upon God by rejecting the many gifts He has given to us to help us attain salvation.
Clearly, your relationship with Jesus is so utterly and completely exclusive and perfect that there is no need or even room for saints, angels, patriarchs, prophets, other Christians, God the Father, or God the Holy Spirit.
Funny how Paul didn't seem to think he was above asking his readers to pray for him. Guess he didn't have that absolute, exclusive locked-gaze relationship with Jesus and Him alone that you have. In places he actually seems to think he was saved as part of a community that amounts to something bigger than just his own "personal relationship" with Jesus. Poor Paul!
How many times does God have to say something before you actually believe it?
When angels came to minister to Jesus, did he send them away with a stern warning that he was the only mediator he needed with the Father?
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