MEMORIAL OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS - Gospel (Matthew 18:1-5. 10) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:4)

FIRST READING - Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12

"Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord is your strength!"

A reading from the Book of Nehemiah

^1 [a]Now when the seventh month came, the whole people gathered as one in the square in front of the Water Gate, and they called upon Ezra the scribe to bring forth the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had commanded for Israel. ² On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. ³ In the square in front of the Water Gate, Ezra read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. ⁴ Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion; at his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and on his left Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, Meshullam. ⁵ Ezra opened the scroll so that all the people might see it, for he was standing higher than any of the people. When he opened it, all the people stood. ⁶ Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they knelt down and bowed before the Lord, their faces to the ground. ⁷ The Levites Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah explained the law to the people, who remained in their places. ⁸ Ezra read clearly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. ⁹ Then Nehemiah, that is, the governor, and Ezra the priest-scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not lament, do not weep!”—for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. ¹⁰ He continued: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord is your strength!” ¹¹ And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Silence! Today is holy, do not be saddened.” ¹² Then all the people began to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been explained to them.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 18:1-5,10

"Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father."

✠From the Gospel according to Matthew

¹ At that time the disciples^[b] approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² He called a child over, placed it in their midst, ³ and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,^[c] you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ^5 [d]And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. ⁰ “See that you do not despise one of these little ones,^[a] for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

MEMORIAL OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS - Gospel (Matthew 18:1-5. 10)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today's Word of God, God the Father reminds all His children: to remember the guardian angels He bestows upon each soul.

God the Father sends these angels to accompany, guard, and protect humanity, who are the beloved children of God the Father, from the ravages of Satan upon their souls and bodies. God reminds His children: live according to what God the Father teaches, never do anything that displeases God the Father.

Live with love and forgiveness, have charity towards your brothers and sisters. Therefore, when facing any difficulties, trials, or persecutions, always know to worship God and love your brothers and sisters; never adopt an attitude of contempt or exclusion, because that does not come from God the Father.

God the Father desires all His children: to always listen to the voice of God the Father reminding them through their guardian angels, because these angels are sent to accompany humanity. So, when traveling or doing anything, trust in the words of God the Father, who says: “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” (Ex 23:20).

On the path towards the House of God, each person is given a guardian angel by God the Father, to accompany them everywhere and at all times.

Especially, these guardian angels constantly attend around God the Father, to intercede with God the Father for each soul, while living on this earth. Everything that God the Father sees in the heart of each person, God the Father also grants light to the guardian angels, so that they may come to protect and shelter that soul. They also see whether that person is acting well or poorly.

To be loved by God the Father, to have God the Father accept the prayers of one's guardian angel, everyone should live in a way that pleases God the Father everywhere and at all times. Do not do anything contrary to the law of love that God the Father has commanded.

Give thanks to God for bestowing a guardian angel upon each person from the very moment they are formed as a human being.

Thanks be to God. Amen.