Reflection
Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels.
Why does Jesus warn his disciples to "not despise the little ones?" God dwells with the lowly and regards them with compassion. His angels watch over them as guardians. Scripture is full of examples of how the angels serve as messengers and protectors. When Peter was chained in prison and kept under guard, an angel woke him in middle of the night, released his chains, and brought him safely out of prison, past several guards and through locked gates. When Peter realized he wasn't dreaming, he exclaimed: "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me" (Acts 12:11). When Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions, an angel protected him from harm (Daniel 6:22).
Angels ministered to Jesus after his temptation in the wilderness and during his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). The angels will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment (Matthew 25:31). The angels show us that this universe which God created is not just materialistic.
The fallen angels (Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:9), described in Scripture as evil spirits or devils (Mark 5:13; Matthew 25:41), seek our destruction (see 1 Peter 5:8). If they cannot persuade us to disown our faith and loyalty to Christ, they will attempt to divert us from doing the will of God by distracting us with good things that weigh us down or make us indifferent towards the things of God.
God gives us the help of his angelic hosts and he gives us spiritual weapons, the shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness (see Ephesians 6:1-11), to resist the devil and his lies. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we, too, join with the angelic choirs of heaven in singing the praises of God.
Jesus used a child in His response to the question from the disciples about who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is. The child serves as a reminder of our dependence on God and the protection He provides through our guardian angels. Humbling ourselves and surrendering our lives as dependent children is what allows the power of our guardian angels to guide and protect us.
Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection
Are you willing to be dependent on the Lord and accept the protection of His Guardian Angels?
Source for today’s reflection: https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2026&date=oct2a