Did you know you have a special friend who is with you twenty-four hours a day? You can’t see him, but he is always beside you. He protects you and he intercedes to God for you. The first decision he ever made was to love you. He is your guardian angel.
- In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels. CCC 334
The throne room of God is heaven. We are on earth. And through the doors of divine mystery there are the angels who both watch over us and see the face of God.
There is a spiritual life that we share with the angels of heaven and with the divine spirits, for like them we have been formed in the image and likeness of God. – St. Lawrence of Brindisi
The Church teaches there are nine choirs of angels, and our guardian angels are among the lowest ranks of angels. There are billions and billions of angels.
Let us look carefully at the whole host of the Lord’s angels; they stand ready to serve his will. – St. Clement I, pope
Guardian angels are also known by other expressions to describe their important role: guards, protectors, superintendents, overseers, assistants, and shepherds.
- From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God. CCC336
The word angel comes from the Greek word angelos, meaning “messenger.”
Per analysis, angels (both good and fallen angels) are mentioned in 50 gospel verses.
Gospel of St. Matthew – 19 times
Gospel of St. Mark – 5 times
Gospel of St. Luke – 23 times
Gospel of St. John – 3 times
Angels are mentioned over 20 times in the Book of Acts and at least 33 times in the New Testament letters, including 12 times in the book of Hebrews. Almost 20% of all verses in the Book of Revelation contain the word “angel.”
In this first post on angels we want to focus on our Guardian Angel.
So we ask the question again: Do you have a guardian angel? Yes, you do! God assigned you a guardian angel, and the guardian angel agreed to watch over you. This alone should suffice to show that your life has meaning, and that you are very valuable as a Christian disciple in the eyes of God, especially in the face of inevitable Christian persecution that we all must endure. Listen to the words of Jesus.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:30-31
Guardian Angels in the Old Testament.
Let us first consider the involvement of angels ministering in the Old Testament.
Abraham’s hospitable nephew Lot was saved from the unruly townsmen of Sodom by two angels who appeared as men that visited the immoral city.
But his guests put out their hands, pulled Lot inside with them, and closed the door; they struck the men at the entrance of the house, small and great, with such a blinding light that they were utterly unable to find the doorway. Genesis 19:10-11
Angels intervened to help saved Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom.
As dawn was breaking, the angels urged Lot on, saying, “Come on! Take your wife with you and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” Genesis 19:15
The patriarch Jacob was blessed to see God’s presence through the face of his angel.
Jacob then asked him, “Please tell me your name.” He answered, “Why do you ask for my name?” With that, he blessed him. Genesis 32:30
Israel (Jacob) mentions the word “angel” at the blessing of his grandchildren.
The angel who has delivered me from all harm, bless these boys That in them my name be recalled… Genesis 48:16
In the book of Exodus, God assures Moses an angel will lead the people of God to a “land flowing with milk and honey.”
Now, go and lead the people where I have told you. See, my angel will go before you…Exodus 32:34
In the Song of Moses nations throughout the earth are entrusted to angels.
When the Most High allotted each nation its heritage, when he separated out human beings, He set up the boundaries of the peoples after the number of the divine beings; Deuteronomy 32:8
Angels appointed by God as guardians of nations are also mentioned in Sirach.
Over every nation he appointed a ruler, but Israel is the Lord’s own portion. Sirach 17:17
There is a physical appearance of the archangel Raphael in the book of Tobit. St. Raphael serves as a companion and protector of Tobiah.
Tobiah went out to look for someone who would travel with him to Media, someone who knew the way. He went out and found the angel Raphael standing before him (though he did not know that this was an angel of God). Tobit 5:4
St. Raphael later provides Tobias explanation. He was sent on mission by God.
Now when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord; and likewise whenever you used to bury the dead. When you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner in order to go and bury that dead man, I was sent to put you to the test. At the same time, however, God sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand and serve before the Glory of the Lord.” Tobit 12:12-15
In the Book of Psalms we can take confidence in God that not only will the Lord provide us safe refuge, but also his angels will minister to us throughout the entire course of our lives. As always, it is a matter of faith and trust in Jesus.
For he commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go. Psalm 91:11
No matter how weak or defenseless we may feel at times in life, when we bless the Lord in our prayers and fear his holy name we are assured his divine protection through the ministry of his angels. Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he saves them. Psalms 34:8
Angels have been around leading and guiding us since the beginning of Creation.
Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan:
- they closed the earthly paradise;
- protected Lot;
- saved Hagar and her child;
- stayed Abraham’s hand;
- communicated the law by their ministry;
- led the People of God;
- announced births and callings;
- and assisted the prophets,
just to cite a few examples. Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself. CCC 332
We can close this post with the Guardian Angel Prayer. I recently met a priest who told me this is a prayer he prays daily in the mornings. Should we not do the same?
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.