Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

Matthew 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.”

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for my guardian angel. I look forward to meeting them one day in heaven. They protect me and inspire me with good things. May I always be attentive and docile to their voice.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Our Guardian Angels: When we contemplate the beauty of God's creation and our place in it, we should not forget the beauty and role of the angels. Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels. We praise God and thank him for assigning an angel to each one of us. In the Catechism, we read: “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by the watchful care and intercession of the angels. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (CCC, 336). Our Guardian Angel has been granted authority and power. At the same time, no angel, good or evil, can force us to do something against our will. Good angels present good things to our minds; evil angels present evil disguised as good. Today’s psalm recalls that God has given knowledge to each good angel about us. With this knowledge, they can guard us in all of our ways. They can direct us into the way of salvation and peace. But in the end, we are the ones who choose good or evil; we are the ones who choose either to act as free children of God or to abuse our freedom by choosing evil. When we listen to our guardian angel, we are assured of God's protection from our enemies and foes.

2. The Choirs of Angels: Our knowledge of the angels is very imperfect. Here on earth, we can only distinguish them in a general way. In heaven, we will know them distinctly. We will see their relation to God and how they have acted to bring about God's loving plan. Based on Scripture, Sacred Tradition and Sacred Theology distinguish nine choirs of angels. These nine choirs, organized in three sets of three, are a reflection of the Trinity: the first three choirs are closest to God and contemplate him and the goal of his creation; the next three choirs consider what is to be done to reach this goal; the last three choirs apply this knowledge to God’s effects. Of those angels who practically apply this knowledge, the Principalities are said to hold the highest place. Their role is compared to that of generals and officers in battle. Our guardian angels, however, belong to the lowest choir, because they are the ones who carry out what is to be done. Our veneration of the Holy Guardian Angels today fills us with gratitude, for we have a heavenly protector who enlightens us, defends us, guides us, and intercedes for us. The contemplation of God’s creation, both visible and invisible, fills us with wonder and awe – for there are things we will see in heaven which surpass our imagination and are more beautiful than anything here on earth. Lastly, we are filled with hope, for we know that the history of the world is in God’s hands and that the heavenly hosts work tirelessly to accomplish God’s merciful and loving plan.

3. Teaching the People: In the First Reading, we hear of Ezra and Nehemiah, along with the Levites, teaching and explaining the Law of Moses to the people of Judah. In the Gospel, Jesus also teaches. He teaches his disciples that greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is not like greatness in an earthly kingdom. If we view things from a worldly perspective, we tend to measure greatness in terms of strength, wealth, physical beauty, and achievement. Jesus, however, does not point to Caesar or to a wealthy person of power to show who is great. Rather, he points to a child to indicate true spiritual greatness. How, then, do we turn and become like children? When we see a child, we see how they depend so much on their parents and guardians. They are often innocent, simple, humble, and full of joy and laughter. Am I dependent, like a child, upon my Heavenly Father?

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are meek and humble of heart. Help me to learn how to be humble and simple like an innocent child. The devil likes to complicate things in an effort to deceive me. Help me cut through the deception and love you with an undivided heart.

Living the Word of God: As I read and meditate on today’s Gospel, what do I see in my life? Am I complicated or simple? Arrogant or humble? Self-sufficient or reliant upon God? Am I looking to grow in the esteem of others or to please my Heavenly Father? Am I cold and calculating or full of joy and love?