O beautiful Angel
Guardian,
you stay with me on
this earth,
enlightening me with
your splendor.
You are become my
brother,
my friend, and my
consoler.
~St. Thérèse of
Lisieux
"Bless the Lord all you angels of the Lord, sing his praise and glory forever." This is from the entrance antiphon of today's Mass. Jewish and Christian teaching states that the angels are spirits created by God, in order to help in the plan of salvation. The angels appear to guide and direct human efforts, either personal, or as an entire people, to obtain and participate in the Kingdom of God. The visit of an angel directs us as a people to recognize God's intervention and care for a people, leading us along the paths of righteousness.
Today's feast honors the angels, as pure spirit, who are our helpers and guardians. We are under the constant care of God we seeks to bring us to eternal life. So we are given this beings, who serve God, by directing us from Sin and protecting us from Evil. Most of us have seen the picture of the two children crossing a stream via a fallen log. Behind them is an angel guiding each of their steps. To be sure an angel does not usurp the Holy Spirit, nor a well formed conscience, but does give us that additional strength and protection in maintaining a holy life.
These spiritual being submit to the will of Christ Jesus, and hence draw our attention to God's desire of a place of light, happiness, and peace. As servants of the one who is the suffering servant, they help to keep our feet from stumbling, and steady us within the divine plan of creation and salvation.
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