Matthew 18:10 "Children's angels always behold the face of the Father" - what does this mean?
Upvote:0
Chapter 18 of Matthew explains it pretty clearly that these little ones are not only referring to children, but to those who believe in Jesus and humbles himself as a little child.
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Jesus specifies who he is talking about in verse 6:
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
We all have angels who watch over us, what Jesus is saying is be careful that you don't mistreat the little ones or the believer, and think of them as less, because God will know. And they are worth more than all the riches in the world to God, even though they may be worthless in human eyes.
Jesus came to die and save, even those whom we deem insignificant.
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.[a]
12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
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For Catholics, one can read from the Catechism paragraphs 328-336. In terms of a guardian angel, we read the following, showing the Catholic Church believes children do not lose their angels:
336 From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. [Cf. Mt 18:10; Lk 16:22; Pss 34:7; 91:10-13; Job 33:23-24; Zech 1:12; Tob 12:12.] “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” [St. Basil, Adv. Eunomium III, I: PG 29, 656B.] Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.
St. Paul makes an interesting reference to his Guardian Angel here:
Acts 27:23 For last night an angel of the God to whom (I) belong and whom I serve stood by me 24 and said…
Further, this makes it sounds as if John's Guardian Angel was involved:
Rev 1:1b He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John
Also the following:
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Ps 91:11 For he commands his angels with regard to you, (Heb 1:14) to guard you wherever you go. (Ps 121:3; Prv 3:23) – Referenced by Satan in Lk 4:10–11/Mt 4:6 when he tempts Jesus in the desert
Mt 18:10 (Ez 34:1–3 & 16; Lk 15:3–7) “See that you do not despise one of these little ones25, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
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