Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of the Guardian Angels (02nd October, 2019) on the Gospel and the Memorial
Neh 2:1-8;
Ps 136:1-6. (R.v.6);
Lk 9:57-62.
Guardian angels are the angels assigned to protect and
guide a particular person, group, church, kingdom, or country. They also present
prayers to God on behalf of the person/s they are assigned to. Belief in
guardian angels can be traced throughout all antiquity[1]. Every individual soul has a guardian angel
commissioned to guard it from birth. This belief can be found even among the
pagans. In the Bible this doctrine is clearly discernible and its development
is well marked. The Old Testament conceived of God’s angels as His ministers
who carried out His behests, and who were at times given special commissions,
regarding men and mundane affairs, cf. Gen
28-29; Ex 12-13. 32:34, Ps 90:11; Dan 10. In the New Testament, angels
served as intermediaries between God and man[2],
cf. Matt 4:11; Mk 1:13; Acts 12:6-11;
Heb 1:14.
Topic: Neither mine nor yours.
Today’s gospel presented to us three categories of would-be
disciples of Jesus. Jesus replied the first who opted to follow Him, “Foxes
have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to
lay his head.” Yet Jesus said to another, “Follow me.” Despite his excuse, He
insisted, “...go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And to the third who wanted
to bid farewell to those at his home first, Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand
to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Every owner of property ought to have intention for his/her
property. And it is the intention of the owner that counts.
The Psalmist wrote, “Know that the LORD is God! It is he that
made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Ps 100:3; cf. Eph 2:10). Hence Saint
Paul reminds us that we are God’s property, cf. 1Cor 6:19.
It is God’s intention therefore that counts in our lives and
in whatever we do even when one thinks he/she has the best of intentions, cf. 2Sam 7:5-7. In today’s gospel, Jesus
literally turned down the intention of the person who volunteered to follow
Him. The one who thought it wise to bury his father first was charged to spread
the gospel instead. And the last who wanted to say goodbye to those he was to
leave behind was judged unfit.
In our lives and in everything we do, it is neither my will
nor yours that counts. We ought to seek the will of God in everything. Our Guardian
Angels we celebrate today behold the face of God continually, cf. Matt 18:10.
Bible Reading: 2Sam 7:1-14.
Thought for today: With God are enduring wealth and prosperity, cf. Prov 8:18.
Let us pray: Lord, direct our hearts to follow
your will always – Amen.
Our Guardian angels – Guide and
protect us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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