Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly.” The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.”

Although we might not be physically imprisoned like Peter, we are at times held captive by our doubts, fears, and sins. We can become chained by these things and paralyzed in our pursuit of holiness. Thankfully, God has given each of us a guardian angel to watch over us and help us when we are weak or in trouble. He has also given us the Good News to inspire us with hope and the Church to unbind us through the sacraments. He has provided us with every means of escape from our selfishness and our worries and our sins. We have only to get up quickly, put on our belts, sandals, and cloaks... and follow Him to release and salvation.

What are the things in our lives that are imprisoning us? Have we sought out God’s help in escaping from these things? Once we are free, what can we do to free others?

O Lord, we are willing to get up quickly and follow you to the ends of the earth.

Amen.

Memorial of the Guardian Angels

Job opened his mouth and cursed his day. Job spoke out and said: Perish the day on which I was born, the night when they said, "The child is a boy!" Why did I not perish at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? Or why was I not buried away like an untimely birth, like babes that have never seen the light? Wherefore did the knees receive me? Or why did I suck at the breasts?"

There can be times in our lives when we feel like Job. Nothing is going right. Our lives are ruined in one way or another. We are stripped of something, or everything, we held dear. We can feel abandoned and let down by God, but this is not the case. God will always be with us, especially in our darkest hours. He has given us many graces to see us through these times of trial, not least of which are our guardian angels. We would do well to remember them when we are suffering or in need. They are there to guard us, guide us, and lead us closer to God. All we have to do is trust they are there and pray for their intercession.

Are there any areas in our lives where we feel abandoned? Have we turned those areas over to God and asked for his help? How can we make praying to our guardian angels a habit in our busy lives?

O Lord, send us your angels to light and guard, to rule and guide.

Amen.

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

We all have a guardian angel watching over us, but do we ever speak to them? Perhaps we should take time each day to be mindful of our guardian angels and ask for their help in listening to Our Lord, doing God’s Will, and overcoming the temptations that hound us. These angels are not only our guardians, but also spiritual guides, who know how best to know, love, and serve God and His children. So let us make use of them!

Do we pray for the intercession of our guardian angels? Do we thank them for the help they give us each day? Do we ask for their help in overcoming our trials and temptations?

O Lord, thank you for giving us all guardian angels to watch over us and protect us.

Amen.