10 See that you never despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually seeing the face of my Father in heaven.
The Holy Guardian Angels (Memorial)Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)
Have you ever seen a child jump fearlessly into a pool toward the outstretched arms of her father or mother? Blissfully trusting in her parent’s protection, she knows no fear! What a wonderful image this can be for us as children of God—joyful, faithfully delighting in the protection of One so much stronger than us.
When Jesus called us to become like little children, he was inviting us to regain our childhood innocence. When we are young, we are all ready to believe in a good God who watches over us and sends angels to guide our way. But as we grow older, these comforting images can lose their power. Life can wear us down and make us cynical. We may begin to doubt God’s desire to remain close to us. We may begin to question the reality of his angelic guardians. Faced with the inevitable pressures of life, we may begin to believe—or resign ourselves to the belief—that we are alone in the universe, reluctant masters of our fate with no one to guide us.
Jesus wants to free us from any sense of isolation or self-sufficiency that is holding us back. He wants to awaken in us that original joy and innocence we experienced when we first knew of his personal abiding love. True maturity as a Christian is not a matter of increased independence from God but a deeper dependence on him! After all, it is he who constantly provides for our health, our relationships, our finances, our very life and breath!
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to do a special work in you. Ask him to help you view all the events of your day with the eyes of a child who knows the Father’s intimate love. If this is difficult, ask him for healing so that you can open your heart to him. Your heavenly Father wants you to come to him with every concern, no matter how small, and trust that his angels are watching over you. Let him reassure you with his love and support.
“Holy Spirit, help me become more like a child as I look to the Father for my strength. Open my heart to trust in your provision and heavenly protection.” Amen!
Baruch 1: Sins of the community
15 You will say:
Justice is on the side of the Lord God, but public shame is upon us today, upon everyone in Judah, upon those living in Jerusalem, 16 and upon our rulers, leading officials, priests, prophets, and ancestors, 17 upon all of us who have sinned against the Lord.
18 We have disobeyed the Lord. We have not listened to the Lord God’s voice so as to keep the commandments that he gave to us. 19 From the day when the Lord brought our ancestors from the land of Egypt until today, we have been disobedient to the Lord our God and have acted carelessly by not listening to his voice. 20 Therefore, to this day horrible things have come upon us, even the curse that the Lord ordered through Moses his servant in the day when he brought our ancestors out of Egypt to give us a prosperous land full of milk and honey. 21 But we didn’t listen to the Lord God’s voice through the prophets whom he sent to us. 22 All of us went off in the direction of our own evil hearts, serving other gods and doing horrible things in the presence of our Lord God.
Psalm 79:(0) A psalm of Asaf:
(1) God, the pagans have entered your heritage.
They have defiled your holy temple
and turned Yerushalayim into rubble.
2 They have given the corpses of your servants
as food for the birds in the air,
yes, the flesh of those faithful to you
for the wild animals of the earth.
3 All around Yerushalayim
they have shed their blood like water,
and no one is left to bury them.
4 We suffer the taunts of our neighbors,
we are mocked and scorned by those around us.
5 How long, Adonai?
Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
8 Don’t count past iniquities against us,
but let your compassion come quickly to meet us,
for we have been brought very low.
9 Help us, God of our salvation,
for the sake of the glory of your name.
Deliver us, forgive our sins,
for your name’s sake.
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