what is man?
“See that you never despise one of these little ones. I assure you, their angels in heaven constantly behold My heavenly Father’s face.” —Matthew 18:10
The Lord has assigned angels to guard us in all our ways (Ps 91:11). They guard us against all kinds of dangers but especially against the attacks of demons. Why would mighty demons want to destroy little human beings? Because we are created in the image and likeness of God and are loved by God (Gn 1:27), Satan attacks us in order to express hatred for God and to blaspheme Him. Thus, our need for guardian angels implies that we are God-like and attacking with God’s power the works of the evil one.
After Pentecost, we hear much more in the Bible about angels. The human race, which was already loved and empowered by God, could now receive the Holy Spirit, “Power from on high” (Lk 24:49; see also Acts 1:8). Through Baptism, now that we are new creations in Christ and clothed with God’s power, we are a much greater threat to Satan and his kingdom of darkness. Satan has even more reason to attack us in his perverse self-defense. Thus, Satan “is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pt 5:8).
The reality of guardian angels reveals to us not only God’s greatness but also the glory and power of the human person: created, loved, empowered, redeemed, and transformed by Jesus our Lord. What is man that God is mindful of him (see Ps 8:5) and has given us such an amazing life that we would need guardian angels?
Prayer: Father, may I realize the mammoth significance of being loved by You.
Promise: “Truly You have formed my inmost being; You knit me in my mother’s womb.” —Ps 139:13
Praise: Six-year-old Ellen darted out into a busy street in front of an onrushing car. The driver swerved quickly and her older sister pulled her back, but her parents knew that her guardian angel saved her from certain death.
Reference:
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