Angels Among Us

When I was a young girl, my mother would bring plastic coated prayer cards home from church. One card which really caught my attention was of an angel walking behind a little girl and her younger brother, arms held over them like a shield. On the back was this simple prayer: "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." Walking to school alone often frightened me. The image of this angel brought me comfort and I carried it close to me. I think many of us carry memories like that: a prayer, a picture, a small reminder that God’s care is never far from us.

Angels of God

On September 29th the Church celebrates the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. This feast is an opportunity to remember that God surrounds us with messengers and protectors, even if they are unseen. Michael the defender stands against evil (Daniel 10, Revelation 12). His name means “Who is like God?” Gabriel, the messenger of salvation, announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and the birth of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1). His name means “God is my strength.” Raphael is the companion and healer from the Book of Tobit, guiding young Tobiah on a journey and bringing sight to Tobit. His name means “God heals.”

Our Guardian Dear

The feast of the archangels is about trust that God never leaves us alone, but sends help, healing and messages of hope in ways seen and unseen. As children, we may have clung to the prayer of our guardian angel. As adults, we can still remember with gratitude that God’s love is always near guarding, guiding and strengthening us on the journey. May we be open to God’s angels, seen and unseen, guiding us today.