Vintage Cast Guardian Angel Medallion with Onyx Stone on 22" Sterling Silver Chain.
Sermon on the Holy Guardian Angels
by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor Universalis
"He hath given his angels charge over thee." O wonderful bounty and truly great love of charity! Who? For whom? Wherefore? What has He commanded? Let us study closely, brethren, and let us diligently commit to our memory this great mandate. Who is it that commands? Whose angels are they? Whose mandates do they fulfill? Whose will do they obey? In answer, "He hath given hisangels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." And they do not hesitate even to life thee up in their hands.
So the Supreme Majesty has given charge to the angels. Yes, He has given charge to His own angels. Think of it! To those sublime beings, who cling to Him so joyfully and intimately, to His very own He has given charge over you! Who are you? "What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?" As if man were not rottenness, and the son of man a worm! Now why, do you think, he Has given them charge over thee? -- To guard thee!
With what great reverence should you treat this word! What devotion should you proffer it; what great confidence should you place in it. Reverence because of their presence; devotion because of their benevolence; confidence because of their solicitude. Walk carefully, in all thy ways, as one with whom the angels are present as He has given them charge. In every lodging, at every corner, have reverence for thy Angel. Do not dare to do in his presence what you would not dare to do if I were there. Or do you doubt that he is present whom you do not behold? What if you should hear him? What if you should touch him? What if you should scent him? Remember that the presence of something is not proved only by the sight of things.
In this, therefore, brethren, let us affectionately love His angels as one day our future coheirs; meanwhile, however, as counselors and defenders appointed by the Father and placed over us. Why should we fear under such guardians? Those who keep us in all our ways can neither be overcome nor be deceived, much less deceive. They are faithful; they are prudent; they are powerful; why do we tremble? Let us only follow them, let us remain close to them, and in the protection of the God of heaven let us abide. As often, therefore, as a most serious temptation is perceived to weigh upon you and an excessive trial is threatening, call to your guard, your leader, your helper in your needs, in your tribulation; cry to him and say: "Lord, save us; we perish!"
Psalm 91 Meditation
Safe in God’s sheltering care
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
and abides in the shade of the Almighty
says to the Lord: “My refuge,
my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!”
It is he who will free you from the snare
of the fowler who seeks to destroy you;
he will conceal you with his pinions
and under his wings you will find refuge.
You will not fear the terror of the night
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the plague that prowls in the darkness
nor the scourge that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand fall at your right,
you, it will never approach;
his faithfulness is buckler and shield.
Your eyes have only to look
to see how the wicked are repaid,
you who have said: “Lord, my refuge!”
and have made the Most High your dwelling.
Upon you no evil shall fall,
no plague approach where you dwell.
For you has he commanded his angels,
to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you upon their hands
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
On the lion and the viper you will tread
and trample the young lion and the dragon.
Since he clings to me in love, I will free him;
protect him for he knows my name.
When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you,”
I will save him in distress and give him glory.
With length of life I will content him;
I shall let him see my saving power.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
A Silesian Monastic Meditation based upon
the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
Preparation
1. Remind yourself of God’s presence.
2. Open your mind and heart to God.
Considerations
Imagine that you are standing in an open field, along with your guardian angel.
Imagine that your guardian angel shows paradise open above you, with all the joy represented in the meditation on heaven.
Imagine that your guardian angel likewise shows hell open beneath you , with all the torments and unhappiness described in the meditation on hell.
Consider that you are situated between heaven and hell.
Consider that both heaven and hell are open to receive you according to the choice that you will make.
Consider that the choices that you make in this world will last for all eternity in the world to come. Though both heaven and hell are open to receive you according to your choice, God desires with an incomparable desire and design that you choose paradise.
With all the power at its disposal your guardian angel also encourages you to choose heaven, offering you in God’s name a thousand graces and a thousand helps to assist you to obtain it.
Consider that Jesus Christ looks upon you from heaven and graciously invites you to join him. He says: “Come, my dear soul, to enjoy everlasting peace in the arms of my goodness whichI have prepared for you from the beginning of time. Come, experience the undying delights that I have designed for you.”
Consider that the Holy Spirit constantly inspires and guides you to make choices on this earth that will draw you closer to eternal life in heaven.
Consider that Mary, the Mother of God, likewise longs that you spend eternity bathed in the love and liberty of her Son and Our Savior.
Consider that the saints also encourage you to strive for everlasting joy, as do countless numbers of blessed souls who strove to follow God’s will on earth. They wish only to see your heart one day united with theirs in praising and loving God forever. They assure you that the way to heaven is not as difficult as the world would have you believe. They say to you: “Friend, be of good and strong heart.”
Consider that the best preparation for eternal life in heaven is to dedicate yourself to making life-giving choices each and every day here on earth.
Election
Renounce hell and all its empty promises. Turn away from its eternal torments and pains. Have pity on those who have found themselves in such a terrible place, but resolve, nonetheless, to never join them. Turn your heart and soul toward heaven and its promise of eternal freedom, justice, reconciliation and peace.
Choose to direct each of your steps here on earth so as to draw more closely to that eternal city of light and love.
Bless God’s mercy.
Accept God’s everlasting love for you.
Share that love with others.
Conclusion
Let all that is within you bless and honor God’s holy name.
Let all that is within you bless and honor God’s creative, redeeming and sustaining love for you.
Dedicate and consecrate to God all of who you are and all that you have.
Ask for the grace to use your time, talent and treasure in ways that give glory to God, that serve others and that lead to everlasting joy and peace.
Pray to God. Ask for the strength to put your affections and resolutions into practice.
Ask for the grace to put your change of mind and heart into action.
Walk in the ways of heaven. Your God-Given Destiny.