It was precisely an angel who addressed the first message from the empty tomb to the women who had come to finish the burial arrangements for Jesus’ body. He says to them: “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here” (Mk 16:6).
The Easter proclamation which the divine messenger addressed to the women is repeated to each of us by our guardian angel: “Do not be afraid! Open your hearts to the risen Christ!”.
By putting his angel beside us, the Lord intends to accompany every moment of our lives with his love and protection, so that we can fight the good fight of faith (cf. 1 Tm 6:12), and give fearless and unhesitating testimony of our loyalty to the One who died and rose for our redemption.
Risen Jesus, thank you for the gift of your angel to accompany me on my pilgrimage on earth, until together with my angel, I can spend eternity with you in heaven. May I always hearken to his voice, as he proclaims to me the hope of the Resurrection amidst the trials of daily life. Amen.
(Cf. John Paul II, Monday, 31 March 1997)
And today we celebrate...