Our faith reminds us that we’re never alone on our journey towards heaven. We can never be self-sufficient even if we want to be. God has created us in a way that our nature is always inclined towards Him. Let’s not forget that we also have the assistance of the communion of saints and our guardian angel.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 336, affirms that ‘from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession’. St Thomas Aquinas says that the ‘function of the guardian angels is to lead us to heaven’.
Where are guardian angels in the Bible?
While angels are mentioned several times in the old and new testament, there is little information about guardian angels for individuals. In the Gospel of Matthew (18:10), Jesus makes reference to this. He says, ‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.’
”The function of the guardian angels is to lead us to heaven.”
St. Thomas Aquinas
Our guardian angels are loyal friends that we can always count on. They do not replace our intelligence and freedom but act as a guide that enlightens the decisions we make. Angel comes from the Greek word angelos, meaning messenger. These non-human spiritual beings were created specifically by God with the vocation to help us in our individual circumstances.
Angels in the old and new testament
Angels have played an important role as messengers throughout the Bible. For example, Mother Mary learns of her vocation to be the mother of God through the Angel Gabriel. In Exodus (23: 20-23), God sent angels to protect the Jewish people on the way to the promised land. He said, ‘See I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Be attentive and heed his voice.’
Our angels can help us with so many little things in everyday life. We can invoke them when we need to have a difficult conversation, when there’s a problem we’re trying to solve, and even when we’re in desperate need of a parking spot!
“Treat him as a lifelong friend — that is what he is — and he will render you a thousand services in the ordinary affairs of each day.”
St. Josemaria
