We recall our childhood experience of sitting with our parents or grandparents listening to stories of Guardian angels protecting and guiding us, and learning bedtime prayers like this one: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love, commits me here, ever this day, be on my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen!
Who are these angels and what do they do? Scripture and Tradition attest with one voice that they are messengers and protectors.
Angels as Messengers:
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An angel helped Daniel understand a vision.
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An angel asked the Lord to have compassion on Jerusalem.
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Angels announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus to their future parents.
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Angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.
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Angels proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter morning.
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An angel promised the disciples that Jesus would return the same way he had disappeared.
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An angel told Cornelius that his prayer had been answered.
Angels as Protectors:
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Angels are described as God’s “ministering spirits sent forth to serve,” in the letter to the Hebrews.
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An angel protected Daniel from harm when he was thrown into a den of hungry lions.
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An angel safely led Peter out when he was chained and guarded in prison.
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Angels ministered to Jesus after his temptation in the wilderness and during his agony.
“Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” – Basil the Great
Angels attend to us today, just as they attended to Jesus.
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Angels deliver God’s message of hope to our minds and hearts.
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Angels are expressions of that inviolable dignity with which God has endowed each person.
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Angels are sent to guide us along the way to eternal salvation.
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Angels guide our pilgrim steps through this world so that we might follow in the footsteps of Christ.
So, let us strive to be the living signs of that which we hope for, and our angels will help us become beacons of hope. The very fact that these angels accompany us throughout our lives, prompting us to encounter the Lord in love, prompting us to cherish each other’s life and dignity, should fill our hearts with gratitude and joy.
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