Our Guardian Angels
Published: Saturday November 01 2008.
“Seeing that, after the transgression of our first father Adam, all men were readily inclined to sin, in His ineffable mercy the Lord, Who loveth mankind, sent His holy angels throughout all the earth, and to each man and woman He assigned one as guardian. Wherefore, fulfilling the command of their Master, the holy angels are ever ready to help us who chant in God-pleasing manner: Alleluia!” (Kontakion 2, Akathist to the Guardian Angel
You have seen it many times, pictures or illustrations with an angel on the right and the devil on the left, trying to influence the person’s will towards good or evil. I remember even seeing this in cartoons when I was growing up and at the time, I never really gave it much thought. But I did realize that if the cartoon character did side with the devil, than bad things would happen to them. How similar this is to true life. How many times have we made choices, not realizing we were listening to the devil or his demons instead of our guardian angel and suffered the consequences?
Angels have played very important roles in ministering God’s work in the heavens and the earthly world. Archangel Michael fought Lucifer the fallen angel and sent him to eternal damnation. An angel announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias, as well as the birth of our Savior to the most holy Virgin Mary. Angels announced Christ’s resurrection to the myrrh-bearing women and angels are integral to the foundation of the Revelation of St. John. Throughout scripture you can find references to angels and their work.
As we pray the Kontakion above, we learn that our guardian angel is with us from our birth. They serve as our protector, guide, teacher and intercessor before God. They keep a diary of our lives, documenting all of our good and bad deeds. They never leave us, and are always ready to provide council unto the end of our earthly life. Since we have the God given privilege to make our own choices freely, God in His mercy has provided us a helper, our guardian angel.
Not only do we need to ask our guardian angel for help when we are here in the world, we must entreat them to continue to help us when we fall asleep. Your guardian angel will accompany your soul through the trials of the afterlife, where they will fight the temptations of the demons and use their knowledge of your good deeds to ask God for mercy. Even if your soul is judged and you find yourself in the burning fire, your guardian angel will remain faithful until the Last Judgment, never ceasing in praying to God for you.
To learn more about angels, refer to the writings of St. John of Damascus, St. John Chrysostom, St. Dionysius, Blessed Augustine and of course, the Holy Bible.
“O Holy Angel chosen by the Lord god to guard my soul and body, I, thine unworthy servant, make bold to chant hymns of praise unto thee. As thou hast boldness before the King of Heaven, from all misfortunes and sorrow, from enemies visible and invisible, defend me who cry: Rejoice, O Angel of the Lord, my tireless Guardian!” (Kontakion 1, Akathist to the Guardian Angel)