27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends,

Our Mass readings today have a particular poignancy. Of course, from the book of Genesis, we have a foundational reading for our understanding of ourselves as human beings created in the image and likeness of God, and our second reading and gospel are ramifications of that reality. There is a lot to draw from with these readings; many points of meditation can be made. There’s one thing I’d like to draw out briefly for my little note here in the bulletin.

In the reading from Genesis, the Lord God said that it is not good for man to be alone. Although the immediate response is for the creation of the woman as complementary to the man, and indeed one does not make sense without the other, I would like to extrapolate that idea that it is not good to be alone. As others have said, human beings are “social animals.” Companionship is a necessary part of our existence. Even those who are called to a life of greater solitude for the sake of the Lord still need companionship. Of course, we have companionship with the Lord himself, and all of our other human relationships help. One relationship that I think we often overlook is that of ourselves with our guardian angel. This past Wednesday, on October 2, we celebrated the Feast of the Guardian Angels. It is scriptural and official Church teaching that every human being has a special companion throughout life that is of the angelic order, a spiritual being that accompanies us at every moment. They are there to help us, to encourage us, to support and protect. Do we turn to them often, do we ever remember that they are there?

There are some who have had very close relationships with their guardian angel. One that comes to mind immediately is St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Another is St. Gemma Galgani, of whom our parish has a first-class relic in the altar. I encourage you to look up their stories, especially as they relate to their angels. It would be a good practice to turn every day to our guardian angels, to thank them for always being with us, and to ask them to help with all things, but especially in moments of doubt. When we are feeling lonely, we can turn to our angelic friends and commend ourselves to their intercession before the face of God the Father (see Mt 18:10).

Holy Guardian Angels, pray for us!

-Fr. Kennell