HOMILY OF 26TH THURSDAY OF ORDINARY TIME: YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
Nehemiah 8:1-12, Ps. 19:8-11, Matthew 18:1-5,10
After the Feast of Archangels on 29th September, on this second day in October, we celebrate the Memorial of The Guardian Angels. The meaning of the word “angel” from the Greek “angelos”- messenger, helps to understand their role and how it is used in the Scriptures. Angels are God’s messengers. The Psalmist says that “the Lord has commanded His angles to keep you in all your ways” (Ps. 91: 11). An early Church father, Basil the Great (329-379 AD) states: “Besides each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” Of the Guardian Angels, the Catechism states: “from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession (CCC. 336).
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In today’s gospel (Matt. 18: 1-5, 10), Jesus warns His disciples against pride and self-glory but to embrace the simplicity and humility of little children whose angels are constantly in God’s presence interceding for them. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
The first reading (Neh. 8: 1-12), describes how the “lost but found” copy of the Book of the Law was read to the returned exiles during the re-dedication of the Jerusalem Temple. The people were saddened because of their unfaithfulness, however, they were encouraged to rejoice since the Word they have heard has sanctified the day and reassured of God’s merciful love. “For this day is sacred to the Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your strength”. As you hear God’s Word today, may the sadness in your life be turned into joy.
Dear friends, through the intercession and intervention of God’s messengers, our lives like that of Peter in prison (Acts 12) or Daniel in Lion’s den (Dan. 6), are liberated from captivity and restored to the freedom of God’s children.
I pray that as we journey in life today, we will embrace simplicity and humility of life so that our angels would remain constantly in God’s presence on our behalf. As the angels ministered to Jesus at His temptation in the wilderness and agony in the garden, may we likewise be ministered to at our own time of need, spiritual and material. May you have a day full of angelic visitation and intervention!
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