REFLECTION:

My first lesson—or at least my first understanding—of angels probably came from the movie Angels in the Outfield. Remember that movie? Christopher Lloyd, Danny Glover, and a very young Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I loved that movie. I think I watched it a hundred times growing up!

The angels would show up and help this terrible baseball team do impossible things. So maybe my first theology of angels was: angels are invisible people with wings who show up when you're in trouble!

But since today is the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, let's do a little catechesis. What does the Church actually teach about angels?

First, angels are real.

The Catechism calls their existence “a truth of faith.” They aren't simply symbols or characters from movies. They are creatures created by God.

Second, angels are pure spirits.

They don't naturally have human bodies and wings. And here's a common misconception: when we die, we don't become angels. We sometimes say, “Heaven gained another angel,” but human beings and angels are different creatures. Our Christian hope is not that we get wings; it's the resurrection of the body and eternal life with God.

Third, Guardian Angels aren't assigned to us simply to keep bad things from ever happening.

The Catechism says that from infancy to death, our lives are surrounded by their “watchful care and intercession.” Their mission is ultimately to help lead us to God. And that connects beautifully with today's readings.

God asks Job all these questions about creation that Job cannot answer. Finally Job realizes: I don't know everything. I don't see everything. I'm not in control of everything.

Then in the Gospel, Jesus places a child in front of the disciples and says, “Unless you turn and become like children…” Maybe that's why belief in Guardian Angels requires a little childlike humility.

As adults we like to think: I can handle it. I know where I'm going. I don't need help. And God reminds us: There is more happening than what you can see. Jesus even says of the little ones, “Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

So maybe Angels in the Outfield wasn't completely wrong. Angels really are helping us—just maybe not to catch baseballs. They help us on our journey toward God. And perhaps that childhood prayer says it best:

Angel of God, my guardian dear…
to light and guard, to rule and guide.

Today, maybe our prayer can simply be: Lord, I don't see everything. I don't understand everything. So help me to trust you—and guide me home to you.