Homily for the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

 

Ex 23:20-23

Ps 91:1-6, 10-11

Mt 18:1-5, 10

 

Christ the King Catholic Church, Iowa Park, TX

 

Last week, we celebrated the feast day of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. As you likely recall Michael brings protection in spiritual warfare, Gabriel brings important spiritual messages, and Raphael brings healing. Today we celebrate a very special memorial in honor of the guardian angels, the special spiritual helpers God gives to each of us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church presents three major points about angels.

First, angels are purely spiritual beings of immense power that inhabit God’s creation. They are not symbols but are real beings whose coming and going we can neither perceive nor comprehend. They move through creation at the speed of thought. Nevertheless, Sacred Scripture is filled with accounts of their presence and influence.

Second, as powerful as the angels are, it is Christ who is the center and head of the angelic realm. They are His instruments and agents of His Divine Will. The angels are not free-floating, fully independent beings. They were created by God for a purpose and a mission. The title ‘angel’ refers to their office as messenger, not their nature.

Finally, God gives certain angels to us as spiritual helpers and guides. As such, we are already in contact with the Heavenly Host because they join us in prayer at every Holy Mass, including at this one. At the consecration, this sanctuary around the altar of sacrifice is filled with angels! Just as God assigned a guiding angel to Israel, so we are all enveloped within His protecting grace.

This memorial of the Guardian Angels should inspire us with respect, devotion, and confidence. We should respect their presence among us, imitate their faithful service, and gain confidence because of their protection.

The Guardian Angels are signs of God’s love and care for us. They are good, protective, and caring spirits sent from God and their mission is to assist us on our pilgrim journey to the Father’s house. Holy Mother Church teaches that every human being is assigned a Guardian Angel. The presence of our Guardian Angel does not depend on us having faith or being in a state of grace. Our angel is always with us, regardless of our disposition and actions. God gives us these angelic guides simply because He loves us so much.

Lest we forget to mention this. People do NOT become angels when they die, nor do they 'gain wings' any more than a dog becomes a banana when it dies. People and angels are completely different species. Let us put that nonsense to rest, shall we?

We do not celebrate this memorial and teach about our Guardian Angels to increase our knowledge about the spiritual population of the universe. Rather, we honor our Guardian Angels to recognize the great and unique dignity of every human being in being given such a glorious creature as a lifelong companion. We are truly never alone at any time in our life. Our angel is always at our side. This is a truth that should bring us great comfort and joy.

Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, Pray for Us!