October 2nd, 2018

Memorial of Saint Vincet de Paul, Priest

LECTIONARY
456

FIRST READING
JB 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23

Job opened his mouth and cursed his day.
Job spoke out and said:

Perish the day on which I was born,
the night when they said, “The child is a boy!”

Why did I not perish at birth,
come forth from the womb and expire?
Or why was I not buried away like an untimely birth,
like babes that have never seen the light?
Wherefore did the knees receive me?
or why did I suck at the breasts?

For then I should have lain down and been tranquil;
had I slept, I should then have been at rest
With kings and counselors of the earth
who built where now there are ruins
Or with princes who had gold
and filled their houses with silver.

There the wicked cease from troubling,
there the weary are at rest.

Why is light given to the toilers,
and life to the bitter in spirit?
They wait for death and it comes not;
they search for it rather than for hidden treasures,
Rejoice in it exultingly,
and are glad when they reach the grave:
Those whose path is hidden from them,
and whom God has hemmed in!

PSALM
PS 88:2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8

Response: Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

O LORD, my God, by day I cry out;
at night I clamor in your presence.
Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my call for help.

For my soul is surfeited with troubles
and my life draws near to the nether world.
I am numbered with those who go down into the pit;
I am a man without strength.

My couch is among the dead,
like the slain who lie in the grave,
Whom you remember no longer
and who are cut off from your care.

You have plunged me into the bottom of the pit,
into the dark abyss.
Upon me your wrath lies heavy,
and with all your billows you overwhelm me.

GOSPEL
MT 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
"Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?"
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child

is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father."

Daily Reflection

2nd October 2018

Holy Guardian Angels

Since the 17th century, each October, the Universal Church celebrates a feast honouring the Guardian Angels. The Church’s teaching about angels is part of its Sacred Tradition. Guardian Angels are believed to be heavenly spirits assigned by God to watch over us, during our earthly existence. The role of the Guardian Angel is to guide us to noble thoughts, noble words and noble deeds; to guard us against evil and temptation; to warn us of impending spiritual dangers.

The first reading from Exodus and the Gospel message, today, support this teaching.

The Guardian Angels have also been visibly present to a number of Saints and they, in turn, urge us to foster devotion towards these spiritual beings. St Augustine of Hippo claims that the Angels watch over us, hastening to our aid at God’s command; and no matter where we may be, they are always with us. St Jerome believed that from our birth there is appointed to each one a Guardian Angel. According to St Bernard, no matter how weak we may be, no matter what our condition, we have nothing to fear if we make the Guardian Angels our friends.