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| “The Guardian Angel” by Carlo Dolci, 1675 |
Commentary:
Note: for this memorial the Gospel of the Proper is used.
Reading 1: Baruch 1:15-22
Commentary on Bar 1:15-22
The author of the Book of Baruch is thought to be a secretary of the Prophet Jeremiah. As such the book was written after the Babylonian exile so what we hear today, rather than being a prayer written during that exile is actually a reflective prayer (of penitence and atonement) used, according to scholars, leading up to the feast of Booths. (Note, the first line in today’s reading is not scriptural but rather inserted in the Missal as a “sense line” – a summary of the introduction.)
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 79:1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9
R. (9) For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Commentary on Ps 79:1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9
Psalm 79 picks up the penitential note from Baruch. It is a communal lament in which the assembly reflects upon the punishment endured because they have sinned against God and disregarded his law. Following this admission, there is a plea for mercy and a promise of atonement.
CCC: Ps 79:9 431
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GOSPEL
Matthew 18:1-5, 10
Commentary on Mt 18:1-5, 10
Commentary on Mt 18:1-5, 10
This Gospel passage is used on the Feast of the Guardian Angels each year. The event is also recorded in St. Luke’s Gospel at Luke 9:46-50. 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.
CCC: Mt 18:3-4 526; Mt 18:3 2785; Mt 18:10 329, 336
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Reflection:
Taking the flow of celebrations in the Church over the days leading up to this date – it almost seems as if we have been building up to the memorial of Guardian Angels. We have celebrated the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael and just yesterday the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. From divine messengers and Saints who invite us to be as children in accepting their divine aid, the Guardian Angels present themselves in this memorial – an angelic presence reminding us that God cares for us all and is with us constantly.
It is an opportunity for us all to reflect upon this question: If Jesus tells us the Guardians exist and are real (“I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.") do we accept and believe that aid is at hand or do we continue to fear, thinking we are alone, fighting against the world with only our own strength to protect us? After all, we do not see the angelic messengers. We do not observe them actively participating in our lives. Unlike their depiction in the movies, objects and people do not fly around, guided by the hosts of heaven.
Ultimately we are given God’s assurance that his messengers are here with us; that at once they face outward watching over us and inward, worshiping God and His Son in the Heavenly Kingdom. We are called once more today to have the faith of a child as we go about our day’s activities, may we accept God’s angelic aid and feel the peace flowing from his Son on this day.
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Reflection:
Taking the flow of celebrations in the Church over the days leading up to this date – it almost seems as if we have been building up to the memorial of Guardian Angels. We have celebrated the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael and just yesterday the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. From divine messengers and Saints who invite us to be as children in accepting their divine aid, the Guardian Angels present themselves in this memorial – an angelic presence reminding us that God cares for us all and is with us constantly.
It is an opportunity for us all to reflect upon this question: If Jesus tells us the Guardians exist and are real (“I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.") do we accept and believe that aid is at hand or do we continue to fear, thinking we are alone, fighting against the world with only our own strength to protect us? After all, we do not see the angelic messengers. We do not observe them actively participating in our lives. Unlike their depiction in the movies, objects and people do not fly around, guided by the hosts of heaven.
Ultimately we are given God’s assurance that his messengers are here with us; that at once they face outward watching over us and inward, worshiping God and His Son in the Heavenly Kingdom. We are called once more today to have the faith of a child as we go about our day’s activities, may we accept God’s angelic aid and feel the peace flowing from his Son on this day.
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