God not only created us but eternally loves and cherishes each one of us
Feast of The Holy Guardian Angels: Wednesday 2nd October 2019
Ex. 23:20-23; Ps. 91(90):1-2,3-4,5-6,10-11;
Mt. 18:1-5,10 (Ps Wk II)
Feast days in the Church were originally celebrated events, the major events of salvation history such as the Annunciation to Mary, the birth of Jesus, his Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The deaths of the first Christians, especially death as martyrdom, were also events which, while causing great sorrow, were seen through faith as occasions for the re-affirmation of Christian hope in the face of a hostile world. Then, too other related events, such as the birth of Mary, her Assumption into heaven, came to be celebrated.
Finally, the Church began to celebrate the mysteries of our faith such as the Trinity, the Body and Blood of Christ. We may see the feast of the Guardian Angels as an example of this type of celebration, for the doctrine of the Guardian Angels is fundamentally a concrete and personalized presentation of the doctrine of God’s providential care and love for us: God not only created us but eternally loves and cherishes each one of us.
Celebrating this feast day, then, is an occasion for renewing our awareness, appreciation and assimilation of the doctrine of God’s personal providential love, care and compassion for each one of us.
Lord, grant me a deeper and more joyful awareness of Your providential love for me.