taken july 2004

 

october2 2006

Memorial of the Guardian Angels
Psalm: Monday 41
Reading 1 Jb 1:6-22 One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said,“From roaming the earth and patrolling it.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job, and that there is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?” But Satan answered the LORD and said,“Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing? Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land. But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.” And the LORD said to Satan,“Behold, all that he has is in your power;only do not lay a hand upon his person.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. And so one day, while his sons and his daughterswere eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, a messenger came to Job and said,“The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them, and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid. They put the herdsmen to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another came and said,“Lightning has fallen from heaven and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,“The Chaldeans formed three columns, seized the camels, carried them off, and put those tending them to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another came and said,“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking winein the house of their eldest brother, when suddenly a great wind came across the desert and smote the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair. He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” In all this Job did not sin,nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.

Ps 17:1bcd, 2-3, 6-7
R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.Hear, O LORD, a just suit;attend to my outcry;hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.From you let my judgment come;your eyes behold what is right.Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word.Show your wondrous mercies,O savior of those who fleefrom their foes to refuge at your right hand.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

Reading II
Jas 5:1-6
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.

Mt 18:1-5, 10 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.”

It is easier to bless God when everything is going well, but to continue to bless God and remain close to God when all goes wrong is a stronger sign of faith. In any suffering of this world, I am never alone. There is an old gospel song that repeats this message over and over: "Never alone" The journey through life is a walk with the risen Lord to eternal life. The final destination is strength for the journey and the Holy Spirit and the presence of God are strengths for the journey. In the gospel Jesus teaches that the angels will look like the children of earth who always look upon the face of God in heaven. I believe children are in a special position very close to God and always to be loved, honored and cherished. We are all children of God meant to have that pure innocence and trust in the Lord. I enjoy the times that I speak with children their honesty, love of others and compasssion is a pure joy and energizing.