Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. (Matthew 18:10)
We think of the angels as messengers from God, and so they are. This is what the word for angel means in both Greek and Hebrew. Archangel Gabriel delivers birth announcements to Zechariah and to Mary. An angel brings strength to Jesus in his agony. Another brings news of his resurrection to the women at the tomb. Peter, Philip, Paul, and John the Evangelist receive divine direction and insight through the words of an angel.
But angels don’t work only with great saints. Each of us has a guardian angel as well. Maybe you have experienced this great blessing for yourself. But even if you can’t point to any “touched by an angel” encounters in your life, the reality is that you have a devoted spiritual friend at your side, someone whose special assignment is to protect, encourage, guide, and help you on your journey to heaven. Think of your angel as a specially chosen gift from God—your prayer partner, cheerleader, personal trainer, and spiritual bodyguard.
But don’t forget, your guardian angel is your messenger, too. He makes round-trips, both from heaven to you and from you back to the throne of God! St. Francis de Sales wrote in his Introduction to the Devout Life: “Since God often sends us inspirations by means of his angels, we should also send our aspirations back to him through the same messengers.” So think for a minute: What aspiration, prayer, plea, or expression of love might you entrust to your angel’s delivery services today?
So today, open your heart to your spiritual friend. Take a tip from St. Francis de Sales, and “get to know the angels very well,” with special attention to your own guardian angel and the angels of the people you live with. “See how they are often present, though invisible, in your life,” and make frequent use of their help. And finally, rejoice that God loves you so much that he commands “angels to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).
“Father, thank you for the gift of my guardian angel! Help me to grow in my friendship with him so that I may grow in my friendship with you.”
Job 42:1-2,5-6,12-17; Psalm 119:66,71,91,125,130