After his release from prison, Peter went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many had gathered in prayer. Peter knocked on the gate, and a maid named Rhoda came out and asked who was there. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she ran back into the house, leaving Peter standing at the gate. She announced to those assembled that Peter was outside. They told her she was crazy! Over their objections, Rhoda insisted that Peter was really there. “It must be his angel,” they said, to explain who was knocking and speaking. When they finally opened the gate, they were astounded to find Peter there (Acts 12:12–16).
It was a popular Jewish belief that guardian angels were our doubles and represented us personally. Jesus cited this as a sign of our great worth to God, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Matthew 18:10). Today, keep in mind that you are in the presence of God.
February 8
An Avenging Angel
The death of King Herod follows the account of Peter’s escape from prison in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 12:21–24). This story gives us an entirely different image of an angel. King Herod addressed the people of Tyre and Sidon, wearing royal robes to display his authority over them. Some admirers in the crowd called out, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Herod accepted their praise. Because he did not give the honor to God alone, the angel of the Lord struck him down. This is the avenging angel more often encountered in the Old Testament.
To you we owe our hymn of praise,
O God on Zion;
To you our vows must be fulfilled,
you who hear our prayers.
(Psalm 65:2–3)
February 9
Angels of Gates and Doors
Writers and artists often portray angels as guardians of doors and gates. “Angels are the ones who carry us from one realm to another,” wrote F. Forrester Church. Moving from one world to another entails crossing a threshold, recognizing that there are different realities on either side. Jacob’s vision of a stairway with angels ascending and descending symbolizes this kind of transition (Genesis 28:12). The distance between heaven and earth, between God and man, is connected by angels moving effortlessly between the two realms. The doorway to heaven is open for us.33
Father Agostino returned from Naples at about three o’clock in the morning. Arriving at Padre Pio’s house, he was surprised to find the door open. When Father Agostino asked Padre Pio why he didn’t lock his door, the saint replied, “I have the guardian angels of the house keeping watch through the night. There is no reason to fear.” 34
February 10
Saint Scholastica (480–542)
Thunderstorms and Angels
Like many twins, Saints Scholastica and Benedict were close. They were also united in their faith. Scholastica established a convent near Monte Cassino, Italy, where Benedict founded the first monastic community of men. Scholastica and Benedict visited just one day a year. In 542, Scholastica sensed death was near. When Benedict prepared to leave, Scholastica begged him to delay. And she prayed. Did Scholastica’s angel rush her request to God? Possibly. A violent thunderstorm began, delaying his departure. The next day, Scholastica died. Benedict saw a white dove rising into the sky, and he knew that angels were escorting his sister to heaven.35
Has God sent you any storms special-ordered by an angel? Could they have been sent your way for a larger, greater purpose?
February 11
Our Lady of Lourdes
Envying the Angels
Long before she died at thirty-five in 1879, Bernadette Soubirous envied the joy of the angels in God’s presence. As a poor, illiterate fourteen-year-old, Bernadette peeked into heaven’s mysteries. On February 11, 1858, the beautiful Virgin Mother of God began to appear to her in a rock grotto near Lourdes, France. Our Lady asked Bernadette to pray for sinners and to have a church built. Bernadette was happy to obey the Virgin, but it attracted attention that she didn’t want. People begged “the saint” to bless their rosaries. Bernadette entered a convent for peace and to give her life to God. When she developed painful tuberculosis of the bone, she praised God, longing for heaven and the Virgin’s smile. Bernadette had learned what the angels know: we’re never truly happy until we live with God.36
“I shall do everything for Heaven, my true home. There I shall find my Mother in all the splendor of her glory. I shall delight with her in the joy of Jesus himself in perfect safety.”
— Saint Bernadette Soubirous 37
February 12
Angel Facts and Fiction
Fact: “Angels” are mentioned 273 times in some editions of the Bible. Only three angels are named in Catholic Bibles. They are Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael and are also called archangels. Michael’s name means “Who is like God.” His name appears most often. “Gabriel” means “God is my strength.” Gabriel, the herald of Good News in the New Testament, announces the coming of a Savior. Raphael’s name means “God has healed.” Raphael appears only in the Book of Tobit. What’s an example of angel fiction? Believing that angels know the future of those they guard or the future of the world. Only God is all-knowing.38
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angels praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13–14)
February 13
Angels in the Snow
On a snowy winter night in Chicago in the late 1870s, two boys went to the rectory of Holy Family Church to ask a priest to visit their dying grandmother. Father Arnold Damien, S.J., immediately accompanied the boys to a chilly apartment building where they thanked him and left. After anointing and giving the dying woman the Eucharist, Father Damien praised her faithful grandsons. “Father,” she whispered weakly, “I had two grandsons, but they died many years ago. They were altar boys at Holy Family Church.” Suspecting that his young visitors were angels, the pastor commissioned statues of altar boys to stand as sentinels in the church sanctuary.39
Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)
February 14
Saint
