As we prepare for the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2, what do these beings teach us about God’s Love?
Oh, the Dignity of the Soul!
“How great is the dignity of the soul since each one has from its birth an angel commissioned to protect it.”
St. Jerome’s words above, from his Commentary on Matthew, brought an unrecognized but faith-changing truth to light for me regarding the Guardian Angels’ presence in our lives. My awe of them and gratitude for their protection and guidance ignited a revelation: their presence and activity on our behalf is a clear sign of the incredible value God has given to each and every human person, just because we exist.
As we value a child in our life simply because that child is in our life (whether they behave or not), so does God value each of us: simply because we are. He created us to love us, He loves us because we exist. And in loving us as deeply as He does, He has deigned to value us beyond our comprehension. Scripture makes clear God’s concern for humanity. But in exploring His assignment of guardian angels to each and every one of us, we see clearly His deep and abiding love for every individual.
All-Powerful and Knowing, He Cares For Us
The first Mass reading (Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5) for the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels (Oct. 2 this year) sets the stage for this revelation… although no angels are mentioned. God doesn’t answer Job’s lament over his (incredibly significant!) losses with consoling words. Instead, He poses rhetorical questions that highlight our Creator’s might and actions, illuminating His omniscience and our ignorance. Faithful Job’s lament had erupted after clinging to trust in God through incomprehensible tests. Job, scandalized by others and possibly fearing betrayal by God, cracked and let out a cry of pain and confusion. I think we have all been there at some time…
God’s response reminded Job of all that God has done in creation on our behalf—they are signs of His providence for humanity—and the repentant Job says he covers his mouth and will not speak of it again, accepting what comes like a child might accept a painful procedure because they trust their parents. Given Job’s losses, I pray for such trust and acceptance during daily inconsequential inconveniences and more serious trials!
The Psalm for this Mass also lacks mention of angels, but praises God’s guidance “along the everlasting way” (perpetual providence) at an individual level. The psalmist professes trust that He is with us in personal terms: “Where can I go from your spirit?” (Psalm 139:7). The mighty God is here attentive and concerned with each individual.
Guardian Angels Look Upon God’s Face
And then… Jesus speaks of the guardian angels in the Gospel (Matthew 18:1-5, 10), and, oh, what a message!
Not only do Jesus’ words rebuke the cultural practice at the time which only “valued” children once they were old enough for their health to be assured, but they convey a much deeper message that resonates across all cultures in all times.
Jesus’ followers ask Him: “Who was the greatest in Heaven?”
He responds not by naming the Trinity, angels, fathers of the twelve tribes, or even Moses and Elijah. His answer spoke to the question of how each and every one of us can become the greatest in heaven: by receiving such children in His name.
And who are the children? Yes, those little ones literally before them. But also… we were them once, and we don’t lose value in God’s eyes with age. So, everyone! From those that need full care and give no “visible” benefit in the physical world to the accomplished in whatever lives they lead—and every person in between.
Jesus then delivers the statement that most clearly establishes the existence of guardian angels: ““See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” As Jesus teaches, God is with every single one of us from creation until our judgment day, assigning a guardian angel as a special, personal, loving caretaker whose mission is to guide us to heaven.
Such an assignment clarifies that salvation history is not about “saving” as many humans as possible. Our Loving Trinity’s perpetual love and action seek to bring every single person into their loving presence forever—there are no “acceptable losses,” even though saints have indicated there are losses.
Every loss is a tragedy, but its possibility through free will is crucial to our innate dignity. Thus, our guardian angel’s activity is subject to our free will, but they persistently try leading us more closely to God.
Guardian Angels Embody God’s Constant Love
This perpetual angelic presence in each of our lives make God’s personal love evident. Each guardian angel constantly sees the face of God, who in turn is attentive to the angel. In other words, there are no relays between our angel and God. Your angel is with you and interceding with God in every moment. Yes, you personally, regardless of sinfulness or saintliness. And they feel love beyond measure for you!
And our God who does this? Jesus refers to Him as my Heavenly Father while elsewhere calling us His brothers and sisters. This is not like a school principal or coach getting reports from an individual’s teachers or assistant coaches. It is the paternal love of our Father and Creator, who continuously cares about us. He cares so much that He has a vastly superior being, a holy guardian angel, caring solely for each of us inferior beings from our beginning through to our end and judgement—despite many (most?) of us never realizing they are there or acknowledging them.
How insulting and demeaning that seems to be to them… unless, we are so valuable to the Father that this mission to give and do so much to bring us to heaven is actually one of great importance, regardless of our gratitude. And what would make it that important? How much God values the one they care for.
Embrace Our Value
My greatest takeaway from these insights has been how important I—me and me alone—truly am to God. And, as the perfect Father, He loves me just as much He loves every other one of His children. That is the reality for you, too, and every person ever created—in the past, present, and future.
So, as we celebrate the Holy Guardian Angels, I resolve again to pay more attention to expressing utter gratitude and appreciation for love and aid I haven’t earned. I’ll be more thoughtful about asking for my guardian angel’s help in paying attention at Mass, and feel I’ve done more for my spouse and children by asking their guardian angels to help draw them even closer to Christ. And then, remember to thank all of them.
I try to picture St. Augustine’s City of God, where we dwell with our angelic brethren who yearn and work for our eternity together. The more I dwell on their presence and “living proof” of God’s personal and abiding love and care for us, the firmer my trust in His love for me grows. Consider again, then, these words: Our Father created each one of us to love us, He loves each one of us because we exist, and in loving us as deeply as He does, He has deigned to value each one of us beyond our comprehension.
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