Additional Information about the Guardian Angels[1]
Readings for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Zec 8:20-23
The Prophet Zechariah continues to exhort the Jews of the Diaspora to return to Israel and be faithful to their faith. He predicts that seeing their devotion and the salvation God has shown to his people others of every nation shall see and wish to worship him as well. We, as Christians, see this plan fulfilled in Christ whose invitation has spread, through his Apostles, throughout the world.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. God is with us.
This post-exilic song was probably sung by pilgrims from around the known world returning to Jerusalem to celebrate in God’s holy city the joys of his bounty. Once more we see the messianic call carried within the hymn.
Gospel Mt 18:1-5, 10
This Gospel passage is used on the Feast of the Guardian Angels each year. This year we were given the same passage from the Gospel of St. Luke just yesterday. The major difference is that here, in St. Matthew’s Gospel the Lord speaks directly of the Guardian Angels who protect and watch over the children in the presence of the Heavenly Father as opposed to going on to another saying of Jesus. The emphasis in this passage changes from a treatise on humility to one which emphasizes God’s care for those who are most helpless, His children.
Reflection:
In this space a year ago we reflected specifically on the Church’s understanding of the Guardian Angels and the role they play in our faith (see Blog entry from 2006). You are invited to use this as an alternate source today since there is another message we find compelling.
In the first reading today the Prophet Zechariah is predicting that people from all over the world that are faithful to God will return to the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem to worship in the holiest of places in the ancient world. He says something very interesting, not frequently heard in the Old Testament. He says; “In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
The implication is clear. The attitudes and actions of the faithful will be such that others, not believers in God, will see their faith and understand that God is with them and desire to take that path as well. That message is one we should take to heart. What is being said is that we, as the faithful disciples of our Lord, do not need to stand on the street corner and shout to passers by that “Jesus is the Lord and you should follow him.” While that or less dramatic approaches to evangelization may be needed at times, our silent witness is a constant reminder to those we encounter that our Lord is God and in Him we find peace and life.
Our faith in the protection of our Guardian Angels is one source of the outward peace we show the world. Our faith that the Lord of life is constantly with us in His Holy Spirit is another. Reflecting that inner faith, we stand above the torrent of anxiety and fear in the secular world. The face of peace we reflect will send the message Zechariah predicted and others who do not know us will “take hold” of us and ask “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”
Pax
[1] The picture today is “The Guardian Angel” by Pietro Da Cortona, 1656
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Readings for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Zec 8:20-23
The Prophet Zechariah continues to exhort the Jews of the Diaspora to return to Israel and be faithful to their faith. He predicts that seeing their devotion and the salvation God has shown to his people others of every nation shall see and wish to worship him as well. We, as Christians, see this plan fulfilled in Christ whose invitation has spread, through his Apostles, throughout the world.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. God is with us.
This post-exilic song was probably sung by pilgrims from around the known world returning to Jerusalem to celebrate in God’s holy city the joys of his bounty. Once more we see the messianic call carried within the hymn.
Gospel Mt 18:1-5, 10
This Gospel passage is used on the Feast of the Guardian Angels each year. This year we were given the same passage from the Gospel of St. Luke just yesterday. The major difference is that here, in St. Matthew’s Gospel the Lord speaks directly of the Guardian Angels who protect and watch over the children in the presence of the Heavenly Father as opposed to going on to another saying of Jesus. The emphasis in this passage changes from a treatise on humility to one which emphasizes God’s care for those who are most helpless, His children.
Reflection:
In this space a year ago we reflected specifically on the Church’s understanding of the Guardian Angels and the role they play in our faith (see Blog entry from 2006). You are invited to use this as an alternate source today since there is another message we find compelling.
In the first reading today the Prophet Zechariah is predicting that people from all over the world that are faithful to God will return to the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem to worship in the holiest of places in the ancient world. He says something very interesting, not frequently heard in the Old Testament. He says; “In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
The implication is clear. The attitudes and actions of the faithful will be such that others, not believers in God, will see their faith and understand that God is with them and desire to take that path as well. That message is one we should take to heart. What is being said is that we, as the faithful disciples of our Lord, do not need to stand on the street corner and shout to passers by that “Jesus is the Lord and you should follow him.” While that or less dramatic approaches to evangelization may be needed at times, our silent witness is a constant reminder to those we encounter that our Lord is God and in Him we find peace and life.
Our faith in the protection of our Guardian Angels is one source of the outward peace we show the world. Our faith that the Lord of life is constantly with us in His Holy Spirit is another. Reflecting that inner faith, we stand above the torrent of anxiety and fear in the secular world. The face of peace we reflect will send the message Zechariah predicted and others who do not know us will “take hold” of us and ask “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”
Pax
[1] The picture today is “The Guardian Angel” by Pietro Da Cortona, 1656
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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