See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared

Gospel of the Day (Matthew 18:1-5.10)

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

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.

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Reflections:

«See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared» (Ex 23,20)

«To his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways» (Ps 91[90],11). What respect these words should arouse in you, to what fervour they should give birth, what trust they should inspire! Respect on account of their presence, fervour on account of their watchfulness, trust on account of their vigilance... They are there at your side, then, not just with you but for you. They stand beside you to protect and help you. What return will you make to the Lord for all the good he has done to you? (Ps 116,12; [115,3]). It is to him alone we should give thanks and honor for their aid; it is he who has commanded them. «Every perfect gift» (Jas 1,17) comes from him alone. But we are on no account to fail in thanksgiving regarding the angels in view of the great charity with which they obey him and the great need we have of their assistance.

So let us be full of respect and thanksgiving for such vigilance on their part; let us love them in return and honor them as best we are able, as much as we ought... In God let us love the angels, knowing that one day we shall be sharers in the inheritance and that between then and now the Father allows and arranges that they may be our guides and instructors. For «we are God's children now» even though it has not yet been clearly revealed (1Jn 3,2) since we are still children subject to stewards and tutors and, for the present, we seem no different from servants.

Nevertheless, small though we be, and long and dangerous though the road may be that remains for us to travel, what do we have to fear under so good a guardian?... The angels are faithful, wise and powerful; what have we to fear? Let us only follow them and hold fast to them and we shall abide under the protection of the God of heaven.