With the help of Angels
Ellen Hart of Michigan relates the story of her son Matthew’s struggle. He was unconscious and intubated. After three years of chemotherapy, spinal taps and hospital stays, his body was rejecting a bone marrow transplant. He had an eighty percent mortality chance.
A friend offered to stay with Matthew so Ellen could go to Mass January first, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. After Mass Ellen spoke with the young priest about her son. As he heard Matthew’s story, he tore a piece of paper out of a hymnal and wrote his name and phone number on it and gave it to her.
An hour later Father Bill arrived at the hospital. He was alone, Ellen attests. But he called for angels to come to every bedpost to surround Matthew. He was anointed with holy oil; then they held hands and prayed over Matthew. The doctors made one last ditch attempt to stop the bone marrow rejection.
The next morning the doctor wrote in his notes, “He actually looks a little better.” After that Matthew slowly improved. Seventy-seven days after being admitted Matthew went home to celebrate Christmas in February with his family.
Ellen was left with the realization that Matthew was not just in her hands, but in the hands of God. Her anxiety turned to peace. In life’s struggles we can turn to our angels and God to bring us hope and peace.
“Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Most of us are not as in tune with our angels as we could be, and we are the poorer for it. In my present role caring for my wife, every night I ask our guardian angels to get us through the night and give us a good rest. I know it is working.
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 the Most High God. If temptation approaches, ask for their help.
Even Jesus had angels looking after him. After he endured temptation by the devil, “…angels appeared and looked after him” (Matthew 4:11). We have Christ’s assurance that from infancy on we have angels to look after us: “Their angels in heaven are continuously in the presence of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).
Stories about angels have been around since the time of Moses. 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.”
Angels exist and are our guides and constant companions according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Until our deaths we are “surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.” When we are in spiritual or physical danger, we can call on their help.
Whatever trials we face in life, our angels are with us. We are never alone. 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.
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