Guardian angels to guard you
In the early 17th century, in Rome's Pantheon district, there was a knock at the door of a holy priest Fr. De Lellis who opened the door to a teenager imploring him, “Padre, come quickly. My grandmother is dying!”
Camillus followed the boy to a miserable building where an old woman lay dying in an attic. When she saw the priest she cried, “Padre, Heaven has sent you! I was so afraid of dying alone, without the sacraments!”
Camillus told her to thank her grandson, but the dying woman shook her head, "Padre, I have no grandson, and the neighbors didn't even notice I was sick." Camille turned toward the doorway where the young man had been standing a moment ago, but he saw that no one was there.
As a child I was playing near a deep washout caused by years of spring run-off through a ravine that wound for several miles. The flowing water was irresistible, and I, a child in rubber boots, was perched on a huge rock right at the edge where the water roared into the washout. I slipped and plunged into the water. I was out so quickly I am still not sure how. It is as if a huge hand reached in and pulled me out.
St Bernard of Clairvaux had a nickname for guardian angels. He called them “bodyguards.” He suggested that we need to follow close to them and we will dwell in the protection of God. If temptation approaches, ask for their help.
I remember playing in the park with two of my grandchildren whose grandfather had been born to eternal life earlier. As we enjoyed the wind and sun, a wispy angel like cloud hovered over the trees and park. I took pictures of it. Later I showed my grandchildren where Grandpa was watching over us in the park.
As an adult I make a more credible witness and can relate what happened as my mother lay dying in her hospital bed. Suddenly she fixed her eyes beyond us in the room, smiled, and radiated such a joy that I knew it was not caused by the presence of my wife and me. My wife had a similar experience when her father was on his deathbed.
Angels have played a significant role in how God has revealed himself to us. Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-20) and the conception and birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). The Archangel Michael is known as the protector of the Church and the angel who will be there to escort us into heaven at the moment of death.
Exodus 23 tells us, “My angel will go in front of you.” Jesus tells us in Matthew 18, “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.”
It was angels who first exploded the news of our Savior’s birth at Bethlehem. “The Angelus” recounts how “The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,” how the angel appeared to “the Handmaid of the Lord,” and how the incarnation of Christ was made known by the message of an angel.
We recognize the intermediary role of the angels that go between us and God as we spread the good news in our daily lives.
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.
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