26TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
The Guardian Angels
Ps 91:1-2, 3-4ab, 4c-6, 10-11
The Lord has put angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways
1st Reading: Ex 23:20-23
The word of Yahweh, the God of hosts was directed to me in this way, ”I am intensely jealous for Zion, stirred by a burning anger for her sake. Yahweh says: I will return to Zion and live in her midst. Jerusalem shall be called the city of faithfulness and the mountain of holiness.”
Yahweh, God of hosts speaks, ”Old men and women will again sit in the squares, each with a stick in hand on account of their great age. The squares of the city will be filled with girls and boys playing.”
Yahweh, God of hosts declares, ”If that seems impossible in the eyes of those who have returned from exile, will it be impossible for me as well?”—word of Yahweh.
Yahweh, God of hosts says, ”See, I am going to save my people, bringing them from the east and from the west; and they will live in Jerusalem. They will be my people and I shall be their God, in truth and in justice.”
Gospel: Mt 18:1-5, 10
At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, ”Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Then Jesus called a little child, set the child in the midst of the disciples, and said, ”I assure you, that, unless you change, and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble, like this child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives such a child, in my name, receives me.
See that you do not despise any of these little ones; for I tell you, their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father.
REFLECTION:
We honor today our Guardian Angels. Angels in general are messengers of God, constantly adoring Him and are always ready to serve Him. The Guardian Angels are among them, sent for specific function; ”I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on your way and to bring you to the place I prepared” (Ex. 23:23). Matthew in today‘s gospel speaks of them: ”their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father.” Each person has a Guardian Angel. ”From the infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercessions (CCC.36) How God loves us! He never wants us to be separated from Him.
St Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) has a deep love for Guardian Angels and a personal encounter with them. He speaks of them as his guide, defender and messenger. The angels brought the prayers of his spiritual children to him. He exhorts everyone of us: ”Invoke your Guardian Angel, who will enlighten you and guide you. God has given them to you for your protection; therefore you should use him accordingly. The Guardian Angels are 24/7 available to us to guide us to what is good and to avoid falling into sin. They are always at our side.
Angels are not for children alone but for all. Let us recognize them, be them, love them. They are God‘s gift to us.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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