Roma Locuta Est

November 16, 2023 (Edward J. Barr) – Many Christians are familiar with the popular prayer to the guardian angel.  Though most don’t recognize the immense power these angels have in assisting us during our faith journey on earth.  The church is clear on the reality of guardian angels.  In speaking about the angels, “from infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.  Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life…” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 336).  Scripture informs of the role of the guardian angel in Exodus 23:20-21, “Behold, I send My angel before you, to guard you along the way and bring you to the place that I have prepared.  Give him reverence and listen to all that he says.  Offer him no defiance; he would not pardon such a fault, for My Name is in him…”

The Lord and His Church are clear about the reality of the guardian angel and our struggle against the forces of darkness (see Spiritual Warfare Part I and Part II).  When scripture tells us to listen to all that he says, it is to admonish us that this great gift is our best friend in attaining heaven.  Remember, the Lord stated that His name is in him.  That means that listening to the guardian angel is listening to guidance from the Lord Himself.  All the good that we do is encouraged or assisted by your angel.  Why?  Because that is his job! 

The first mission of the angel is to worship God almighty.  His secondary mission supports the first; to bring their assigned soul to heaven.  Theological opinion is that most guardian angels come from the lower ranks of angels, the third hierarchy that deals with mankind.  Yet, the angel from the lowest choir is more powerful than Satan himself.  By choosing to serve God your guardian angel acts in His name and has access to the might and power of the entire heavenly host.  When demons attack, your guardian angel can call in heavenly fires to repel the enemy.  Your angel knows you better than you know yourself.  He knows your strengths and your weaknesses.  He knows where the enemy will most likely attack and he can call on assistance from the Queen of the angels, her angels and all the saints. He is our personal intercessor doing all for our good.

In our series on “How Demons recruit” we examined the methodologies used by the evil spirits to ruin our souls.  The guardian angel also knows how demons operate and can help us defend against demonic attack during each phase of the demonic recruiting cycle.  It is not difficult to know when you are working in union with your angel.  If you regularly avail yourself of the sacraments, have a devout prayer life, and try to live a virtuous life, you are going to be in sync with God’s plan for your life.  This does not mean you won’t have problems; rather, it means that you will be at peace with dealing with the challenges that come your way.  Having trust in the Lord means having trust in the angel who He sent to guide you.

Your guardian angel was tested at the beginning of creation.  He knew that the divine plan not only would consist of God becoming man through a woman, but also that his part was to assist you in getting to heaven.  He willingly, perhaps even enthusiastically said yes!  That means from the beginning of time, your angel was waiting for you.  To stand by you, to guide you, no matter what sins and mistakes you make.  In God’s mercy he recognized that mankind needed assistance to combat original sin.  Therefore, he assigned a being of superior intelligence to walk beside us on our path to heaven. How good is God giving us such a gift! 

Our challenge is to accept this great gift.  When our Lord returned to Nazareth he was rejected by his hometown.  And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith (MT 13:58). Similarly, if we don’t allow – through our faith in Christ – our angel to assist us, he won’t.  He can’t. He can only enlighten us to do the good, it is our decision.   By entering a deeper relationship with your guardian angel, you can better understand and follow God’s plan of salvation for your life.  God gave us our guardian angel.  Therefore, cooperating with him is cooperating with divine providence.  

Most theologians believe that God grants all men and women a guardian angel at conception.  It is in keeping with the love of our heavenly Father for all his children.  They too can be led to the beatific vision, though it will be more challenging for those who do not accept Christ as all who are saved are saved through Him and His Church. Those who are baptized are blessed with the indelible mark of sanctifying grace.  They participate in Trinitarian love, and the Holy Spirit dwells within them.  It is the God the Spirit that inspires us to do the good.  It is the guardian angel that guides us to overcome our weaknesses and use our intellect so that our will desires the good.

Your guardian angel is your best friend on your journey to heaven.  He was appointed by God since before you were conceived, and he ‘met’ you before you were born.  He is your closest ‘battle buddy’ against the wickedness and snares of the devil, and he can readily call-in additional troops to defend against any attacks from the forces of evil.  As a spiritual being, the guardian angel has access to other components of the heavenly host that can be powerful allies and intercessors for us.  Among these are the saints in heaven.  We will explore these faithful friends in our next segment.

Edward J Barr earned a Master of Theology degree from the Augustine Institute. He has consecrated to his guardian angel through Opus Sanctorum Angeloram and is in formation for consecration to all the Holy Angels. His first novel, The Gray Apostle: Mission of the Messiah is available on Amazon,Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores. The second in the series, The Gray Apostle: Roman Justice, will be released during Lent, 2024. Mr. Barr is a contributing writer for the Roma Locuta Est blog (www.RomaLocutaEst.com)