DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER  2009

+In this month of Saint Michael the Archangel let us contemplate the protection of the holy angels+

In the book of Exodus God promises that He will send His Angel to be with His people as they journey through the wilderness, to guide and watch over them. He also promises that when they arrive in the Promised Land, He will help them overcome the peoples already living there. But these promises are linked to the laws God has given His people; if they fail to obey His commandments they will have to accept His punishment. Like the Israelites, we too face a difficult journey as we try to make our way to our promised Homeland in Heaven.  But God does not leave us to make this journey alone: He sent His Son into the world so that it would be possible for us to be freed from sin and become His adopted children. The Israelites had an Angel to guide them, but as well as Angels, we have something greater – the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts. And if we turn to God in prayer, the Spirit will guide and strengthen us every day.  In our journey through the world’s wilderness we will encounter many dangers and trials. Today there is much opposition to Christianity in our world and our faith will come under attack. Every day we face temptations to move away from God; our sufferings and disappointments may cause us to become pessimistic and question our faith. For these reasons we need to turn to God every day in prayer and receive His grace in the Holy Sacraments of the Church. We must remember that we cannot be faithful Christians in our own strength; but Jesus is ready to bless us and help us on our way. We need have no fear, as He has the power to overcome all our enemies and indeed has already defeated them through His Cross and Resurrection.
This month of the Holy Angels, let us remember the Guardian Angel whom God in His love gives to each of us as a Helper. Let us be thankful that from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by the watchful care and intercession of our Guardian Angel. Beside every Christian believer stands an Angel as Protector and Shepherd, leading him or her to Life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of Angels and men united in God. ( See the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 336)
(A Devotion by Bishop David Bowler, OSB of Saint Benedict’s, Mansfield)
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Let us pray: Angel of God, my Guardian dear, through whom God’s love commits thee here: ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide.  For Jesus Christ’s sake.  Amen

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And a Passing Thought

Angels take different earthly forms at the bidding of their Master – God.
They thus reveal themselves to human beings and unveil the Divine Mysteries to them.
(Saint John of Damascus)

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HOLY MICHAEL ARCHANGEL! DEFEND US NOW AND IN THE DAY OF BATTLE!
BE OUR SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE WICKEDNESS AND SNARES OF THE DEVIL!
MAY GOD REBUKE HIM, WE HUMBLY PRAY, AND DO THOU, PRINCE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST, BY THE POWER OF GOD, THRUST DOWN TO HELL SATAN AND ALL WICKED SPIRITS WHO WANDER THE WORLD FOR THE RUIN OF SOULS!
Amen
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God shall give His Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee in their hands, that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone.  [Psalm 91]

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