Feast of the Guardian Angels

From this morning's Office of Readings:

We should then, my brothers, show our affection for the angels, for one day they will be our co-heirs just as here below they are our guardians and trustees appointed and set over us by the Father.  

From  a sermon by St. Bernard, Abbot

This sentence from St. Bernard's sermon really struck me this morning. I believe in Guardian Angels. I'm really grateful, when I think about it, for having such a powerful helper. I say the Guardian Angel prayer every day, and very occasionally I ask my angel to do something for me; however, I never have thought about showing affection for my Guardian Angel. I don't think that that thought has ever crossed my mind. This is probably because on a day to day basis, I'm not aware of his presence at all. I'm thinking, and I have thought in the past, that I need to do something about this, but I'm not sure how to keep this intention from getting lost amid all the thousands of things that I need to think about every day. Maybe I should ask my Guardian Angel for help.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Angel of God, my guardian dear

To whom God's love commits me here

Every this day be at my side

To light and guard to rule and guide. Amen.

A child's prayer, really, but maybe that's exactly what we need in this case. St. Bernard's sermon goes on to say:

We are God's children although it does not seem so, because we are still but small children under guardians and trustees, and for the present little better than slaves.

Even though we are children and have a long, a very long and dangerous way to go, with such protectors what have we to fear? They who keep us in all our ways cannot be overpowered or led astray, much less lead us astray. They are loyal, purdent, powerful. Why then are we afreaid? We have only to follow them, stay close to them, and we shall dwell under the protection of God's heaven.

AMDG