Posted on 08/28/2012 1:24:20 PM PDT by NYer
[1]When you were a kid you were told that you have a mysterious spirit that supposedly floats around wherever you go. You learned that this mysterious spirit was good and that he would keep you safe. You probably even learned that famous prayer [2]. In short, you and I learned that we have a lifelong companion whom we still know very little about. What do you know about your guardian angel?
Our own guardian angels are chosen by God from the last of the nine choirs of the spirits of light. They form part of the third hierarchy of angels of which the principalities and the archangels are also a part. Each guardian angel reflects God’s goodness in a particular way and they are ever ready to go wherever the will of God sends them. They are the guardians of our safety and salvation, and they obtain for us the grace of final perseverance.
Catholic belief not only acknowledges the existence of guardian angels but, throughout most of Church history, asserts that every human during his lifetime has its own guardian angel not assigned to anyone else. This is true for Christians and non-Christians alike, whether they are in grace or in sin.
The ministry of the guardian angels consists in extensive duties: warding off dangers to body and soul, removing occasions of sin and helping us to overcome temptation, preventing Satan from suggesting evil thoughts, inspiring and fostering in us holy thoughts and pious desires, offering to God our prayers and praying for us, correcting us if we sin, helping us in the agony of death, strengthening and comforting us, and conducting our souls to heaven or to purgatory to console us there. Our guardian angels do all that they can to help us, but since they are not omniscient it is up to us to expose our intimate thoughts to them by an act of free will. It is to our benefit to have no secrets to hide from him, because he is surely our best friend after God and Mother Mary.
[3]We cannot sensibly perceive our guardian angels, yet they are with us from the moment of our conception. Their task is not completed until we gaze with them on the Vision of God. Our guardian angels’ tenderness is nearly above all words: “He fights for us and asks no thanks, but hides his silent victories and continues to gaze upon God” (Father Faber). Until the morning of our resurrection we will not know from how many dangers he has delivered us, nor how much of our salvation is actually due to him. His work is beyond the power of meriting, because his work is a work of love. How many times have we felt his presence and power rescuing us from danger? In him we have an unseen friend.
St. Bernard comically teaches his disciples, “Always remember that you are in the presence of your guardian angel…Never do in the presence of your guardian angel what you would not do in my presence.” Continually reminding ourselves of their presence is an excellent means of overcoming temptation. Let us frequently invoke their intercession in the time of temptation and trial. Let us revere their presence, bless their benevolence, and trust in their care.
We owe filial devotion to our guardian angels for kindly warning us and earnestly exhorting us.
The best gift of thanksgiving you can give to your guardian angel, as I mentioned in my last article [4], is to offer Holy Communion in gratitude for their ministry. It is also a good idea to take up the practice, as did many saints, of consulting our guardian angels before undertaking anything both great and small. Moreover, it is also a good practice to not only continuously remind yourself of your guardian angel but also to acknowledge and to greet the guardian angels of others.
Your guardian angel sees in his charge a soul of priceless value since it was redeemed by the Precious Blood of God. A soul becomes more and more radiant through the Blood of Christ. A soul in the state of grace is a beautiful thing for our angels to joyfully gaze upon. Let us not sadden our heavenly companion by staining our souls with sin, but if stained we become, let us make haste to run to the Blood of Christ flowing from all the seven sacraments.
[5]
Nice article. Thanks
We owe thanks for our respective Guardian Angels, I think.
“Perhaps, if you develop a solid relationship with your guardian angel, you could ask him/her to reveal its name to you,”
I did just that as I was falling asleep while on vacation in Hawaii. I awoke in the middle of the night with a name I had never heard before repeating in my brain. Twenty some years later my daughter was married in a church dedicated to a saint who shares the name of my angel. Coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidence. I do believe in God’s love for us and that He would provide guardians to help us navigate our way back to Him.
I pray this every morning, but I modify it slightly to make it plural, including the Guardians of my wife and children.
I know my angels are around, but they have to do what they are told, so I just go straight to the Master. He is the One who told them what you were going to ask them before you asked and why put them in the middle of what you ask?
Just debating. My angel has a very good sense of humor. Can’t wait to see him some day. After the wars are over. I think of them as mightier than Delta Force, Navy Seals, or Marines, and I try not to offend them.
Major contradiction here ...
Their reality is not our reality. How could Jesus be somewhere and then not there? Or be somewhere and then somewhere else? (I will be happy to provide Scripture citations if you have to have them.) When it comes to heaven, the laws of physics don’t necessarily apply.
He's God.
When it comes to heaven, the laws of physics don’t necessarily apply.
Angels are created beings, they are not omnipresent, they have to travel back and forth when they are commanded. For example ...
Daniel 9:20-22
20 Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God,
21 while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.
22 He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding.
23 At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly steemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.
They inhabit and serve God primarily in the heavenly realm ... occassionally they are sent to earth.
So Matt 18:10 is a whiff as far as guardian angels are concerned.
*** Because He’s God.*** Well, duh. What about Philip? One moment he was with the ethiopian on the way to Gaza and the next moment he was found at Azotus (Acts 8:39-40).
Just because angels are created beings does not mean that they don’t have a different reality, because they do. You said yourself that they are sent to earth. So Guardian Angels are sent from heaven to earth to protect us. I don’t see anything contradictory about an angel being in heaven while we are sleeping or doing things that don’t need their protection and being with us when we need them.
So “always” doesn’t really mean always?
Your question is equivalent to “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” You just want to argue, so I’m done. We are the only people posting on this thread, so obviously everyone else is done, too.
I did not hear anything like that when i was a kid
and i will not deny that a personal guardian angel sounds good but where does it say any thing like that in the Bible?
I have a scripture that i guess i must have made up because even though i thought that i had read it in the bible i have not been able to find it when needed and it is this.
Who so ever believes a lie and teaches it to be so is in danger of condemnation.
We believe what we believe but to teach something that we can not easily prove by scripture in plain words and with out going over the whole bible and getting a little bit here and a little bit there is not what i call wholesome teaching.
If what the story says is true then why do so many children lose their lives in such simple incidences such as drownings?
“...I will not deny that a personal guardian angel sounds good but where does it say any thing like that in the Bible?”
In 2 Kings the King of Syria sent an army to get Elisha, who had been telling the King of Israel all of the Syrian’s movements as they moved against Israel. Elisha’s servant was afraid, and what follows here is the account of that. I do not equate this to ‘personal guardian angels’, but to the fact that God does send His Angels to protect us, just as he did here for Elisha...
“Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
(2 Kings 6:11-17)
See my post #54...
In 2 Kings the King of Syria sent an army to get Elisha, who had been telling the King of Israel all of the Syrian’s movements as they moved against Israel. Elisha’s servant was afraid, and what follows here is the account of that. I do not equate this to ‘personal guardian angels’, but to the fact that God does send His Angels to protect us, just as he did here for Elisha...
In fact i believe many of us has even seen angels but if we start trying to convince some one else of a certain occasion then we may be subject to some ridicule which we would deserve because it may be just for you or me privately.
Heaven’s words to the Tenderheart are powerful. These messages speak about the need of confession often, of getting in the state of grace and why. They are messages for everyone.
~ ~ ~
http://www.jabezinaction.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, 4 October, 2011
Know That You Are Never Alone
Children of My Sacred Heart,
I love you. I Am that I Am. I Am the Alpha and the Omega, your Abba. I come to you barring gifts of compassion, and mercy. My Children, I desire to bless you once more. I desire to grow close to you. I need you. I need your words of love, and tenderness. I rejoice each time you open your hearts to Me. I rejoice as does the entire Celestial Court. My Children, I have given you angels to command. I wish to instruct you now. Many of you live as though you are not under the constant watch of your guardian angels... Many of you ignore the guidance My guardians try to give you. You should see the multitude of angels who come before My Throne of Glory with nothing to offer Me. Many of them only keep account of your shortcomings. Few of them have positive changes to report. Often, angels interceed before Me, imploring My mercy. They have empty hands... Children, your angels keep track of everything you do. They offer Me your prayer petitions, and always interceed on your behalf. Sometimes, they know full well that your petitions will not be granted to you. They know My ways, yet they kneel before Me, and speak. Children, please honor your angels with gifts of obedience, humility, and devotion. Devote yourselves to the task at hand: you are to love Me with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul. You are to devote your entire existence to pleasing Me. I Am awaits your tokens of love, and devotion. I Am desires to hear you finally whisper words of love with conviction. I Am commands you to make Love your priority. Love is deserving of your worship. Love is deserving of your adoration. Kneel down before Me in love. Kneel down, and invite your angels to pray with you. They desire to be included in your daily activities. They desire to know that you love, and appreciate them also. Your angels have been at your side since the moment of your conception. They have guarded you, prayed, and watched over you in all faithfulness. Reward them now with expressions of your respect, and gratitude. Send them to Holy Mass when you can not attend. Send them to minister to those you love while you are away. Send them in parts of the world were war rages to calm My sons and daughters. They will obey you, and defend you. If you have a problem in particular, they will assist you in your fight against Evil. They will give you the strength you need to persevere. My Children, your angels pray without ceasing. Charge them with your very own prayer intentions, and you will see your lives transformed. This day, I will instruct your angels to anoint you. I will command them to minister to you, and to bring healing to your wounded hearts. They will console you, and you will truly feel their presence beside you. Know that you are never alone. I have gifted you all with Compagnons. I have gifted you with My Supreme Majesty, and Light. I have gifted you in Truth, even though sometimes you prefer to ignore it. You ignore Me. Ignore your angels no more. They wish to serve you for My glory. I have entered into a covenant with you. I remain faithful. My Love Covenant is a great blessing to you all. I will honor it. I will act in accordance, and My Father’s Heart will seek your expressions of tenderness with each passing day. Remember this. I Am, the King of All Nations, is your Father in Love. You are heirs to the Kingdom. You are Sons and Daughters of the Most High by adoption! Angels have not received this blessing from Me. You hold a special place in My heart. You are under the Royal Guard. My angels protect you! Therefore, behave as Princes, and Princesses of Heaven. When your guardian angels invite you to pray so that you may grow close to Me, often times you fail to respond to their call. From this day forth, when you feel the urge to pray, listen to your guardian angels, and thank them for helping you in your walk to holiness for they are also under My command. Your angels have mandates to carry out. They are to lead you to Me. They do instruct you. They protect, and serve out of love. Many times, you have had encounters with angels who do My biding. Put your angels to work, and thank them each time they assist you. Upon your death, you will enter into My Glory, and you will see your guardian angel standing right beside you. I now invite you to imagine the times when your Compagnon prayed, and consoled you. I leave you My kiss of peace.
Shalom
Bumping up the message about guardian angels given to the Tenderheart.
http://www.jabezinaction.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, 4 October, 2011
Know That You Are Never Alone
Children of My Sacred Heart,
I love you. I Am that I Am. I Am the Alpha and the Omega, your Abba. I come to you barring gifts of compassion, and mercy. My Children, I desire to bless you once more. I desire to grow close to you. I need you. I need your words of love, and tenderness. I rejoice each time you open your hearts to Me. I rejoice as does the entire Celestial Court. My Children, I have given you angels to command. I wish to instruct you now. Many of you live as though you are not under the constant watch of your guardian angels... Many of you ignore the guidance My guardians try to give you. You should see the multitude of angels who come before My Throne of Glory with nothing to offer Me. Many of them only keep account of your shortcomings. Few of them have positive changes to report. Often, angels interceed before Me, imploring My mercy. They have empty hands... Children, your angels keep track of everything you do. They offer Me your prayer petitions, and always interceed on your behalf. Sometimes, they know full well that your petitions will not be granted to you. They know My ways, yet they kneel before Me, and speak. Children, please honor your angels with gifts of obedience, humility, and devotion. Devote yourselves to the task at hand: you are to love Me with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul. You are to devote your entire existence to pleasing Me. I Am awaits your tokens of love, and devotion. I Am desires to hear you finally whisper words of love with conviction. I Am commands you to make Love your priority. Love is deserving of your worship. Love is deserving of your adoration. Kneel down before Me in love. Kneel down, and invite your angels to pray with you. They desire to be included in your daily activities. They desire to know that you love, and appreciate them also. Your angels have been at your side since the moment of your conception. They have guarded you, prayed, and watched over you in all faithfulness. Reward them now with expressions of your respect, and gratitude. Send them to Holy Mass when you can not attend. Send them to minister to those you love while you are away. Send them in parts of the world were war rages to calm My sons and daughters. They will obey you, and defend you. If you have a problem in particular, they will assist you in your fight against Evil. They will give you the strength you need to persevere. My Children, your angels pray without ceasing. Charge them with your very own prayer intentions, and you will see your lives transformed. This day, I will instruct your angels to anoint you. I will command them to minister to you, and to bring healing to your wounded hearts. They will console you, and you will truly feel their presence beside you. Know that you are never alone. I have gifted you all with Companions. I have gifted you with My Supreme Majesty, and Light. I have gifted you in Truth, even though sometimes you prefer to ignore it. You ignore Me. Ignore your angels no more. They wish to serve you for My glory. I have entered into a covenant with you. I remain faithful. My Love Covenant is a great blessing to you all. I will honor it. I will act in accordance, and My Father’s Heart will seek your expressions of tenderness with each passing day. Remember this. I Am, the King of All Nations, is your Father in Love. You are heirs to the Kingdom. You are Sons and Daughters of the Most High by adoption! Angels have not received this blessing from Me. You hold a special place in My heart. You are under the Royal Guard. My angels protect you! Therefore, behave as Princes, and Princesses of Heaven. When your guardian angels invite you to pray so that you may grow close to Me, often times you fail to respond to their call. From this day forth, when you feel the urge to pray, listen to your guardian angels, and thank them for helping you in your walk to holiness for they are also under My command. Your angels have mandates to carry out. They are to lead you to Me. They do instruct you. They protect, and serve out of love. Many times, you have had encounters with angels who do My biding. Put your angels to work, and thank them each time they assist you. Upon your death, you will enter into My Glory, and you will see your guardian angel standing right beside you. I now invite you to imagine the times when your Companion prayed, and consoled you. I leave you My kiss of peace.
Shalom
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