Does the Bible Mention Guardian Angels?

One of my favorite lines from the old TV show, “The Office” was when the manager, Michael, says, “I’m not superstitious… but I’m a little stitious.”

For much of my Christian life, I saw a belief in guardian angels as being “a little stitious.” Or at least very “catholic,” and unfounded by Scripture.

But this year for me in particular, I have come to a very different perspective on the reality of guardian angels, and I want to write about why.

Many people say that they’ve had firsthand experience with the reality of their guardian angel. And when they’re saved from great harm, they talk about how their angel was looking out for them. I have never had this experience, but I don’t doubt it. In fact, the more that I read God’s Word, the less farfetched this seems to me.

We read in Psalm 91, “He shall give his angels charge over you, * to keep you in all your ways.” And Jesus famously takes up these words in his spiritual combat with the devil in the wilderness. But could it be true that this Psalm is not only prophecy about Christ but a statement of fact for every human being?

I think that Matthew 18 would seem to indicate yes. In an offhand comment, while Jesus is teaching about the humility of the little children, he tells his disciples: “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.” In other words, Jesus says that even the littlest child, has an angel, which beholds the face of God.

Therefore, the Church, as early as the time of St. Jerome, has taught that (to quote Jerome in his commentary on this verse) “The dignity of human souls is great, for each one has an angel appointed to guard it.” St. Thomas Aquinas also taught that every human being, without exception, has a guardian angel for his entire earthly life and that in heaven, each one will have an angel companion to reign with him (as there would be no need for that person to be guarded any more); and that this guardian angel is assigned to the soul from the moment of its birth. And likewise, St. Basil taught, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.”

Regardless of whether we agree with the Fathers, we must take Jesus at his word, that God’s children have angels which are theirs.

But let me conclude by asking why. Why would this be? Why would God choose to assign to every soul an angel? Of course, God could guide the soul to heaven directly, without the agency of any angel; but he doesn’t. Why? Because God delights in bestowing on his creatures the dignity of agency, and the joy of getting involved. God has done this for us, inviting us to get involved in his work in the world, and he has given the holy angels also a work, to partner with him in his plan for the salvation of souls.

This is the great and unique gift of God to every one of us, but it is so easy to forget—that God cares so much for each and every one of us, that he has given his angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways.

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day, be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.