It is a prayer that honors the angels that God has sent to be with us and to protect us. When I am heading into a meeting that may be challenging for a number of reasons, I always pray to my Guardian Angel – it has saved me many times in keeping my composure under very duress. I even pray it when I am with students and they need to face some tough decisions – I pray that they will be open to God’s will. It is clear in the first reading that Job finally hears the Word of God and is willing now to have an open heart. His declaration that God can do all things is a comforting one. The rewards are great for the faithful behavior of Job and although they focus on materials things in this passage, we know that the true rewards are much greater and of a different nature. Job is so entirely open to what the Lord would do with him. He lives his life forward as he reflects the values so foundational to early Christians (and to us now!!) It is important to note that Job clearly repented to the Lord as well. We will never be refused when we repent with all our being. The responsorial psalm speaks to our relationship with God and the need to be ready at any time. Asking in prayer for wisdom and insight allows the teacher to bestow them upon us. We hear in each response that what keeps our focus: the light (your face) that shines upon us. Jesus presents us with another parable for the gospel. He proposes that the adults come as children – humble, open, and innocent. It is that very humility that will allow for our rewards and rejoicing. Another message beyond we adults embracing a more childlike relationship (full of awe and wonderment) is the directive to take care of children in the name of Jesus. Mother Theresa’s remark to see Jesus in all whom she served ties in beautifully with the Ignatian concept of Faith that does Justice. |