October 2, The Guardian Angels 

The Lord has put angels in charge of you, to guard you in your ways.—Psalm 91:11 

Mass Readings: Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-17 / Matthew 18:1-5,10 

Humility and Missteps 

I read today that I have at least one thing in common with Blessed Mother Teresa. At age 82, Mother Teresa fell and broke three ribs. She tripped going into a chapel on the outskirts of Rome. Last year, I tripped coming out of a church on the outskirts of Chicago, but I fractured a foot. The embarrassment was humiliating, not to mention the pain. I wondered if my guardian angel was on coffee break when I fell. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says that whoever humbles himself like a child will be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Although I’m not a child, now I see that accepting the limitations and circumstances of growing older is my challenge.

Prayer: Guardian angels, watch over us when we are afflicted and fall.