Gospel of Life
The value of human life is such that from the first moment of our existence, God assigns us a spirit guardian. As the Catholic Catechism says, “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. ‘Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.’ Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.” (336)
St. John calls Jesus the “Word of Life,” as well as the Word of God. In him, God’s eternal life is both proclaimed and given to us. Thanks to that proclamation, thanks to that gift, both our physical and spiritual life here on earth acquires an eternal value and meaning. In philosophy, we talk about “ends,” or, in our language, “destination and purpose.” God’s eternal life is really the end toward which our life in this world is directed. Remember that God became human so that humans could become divine, could attain their divine end. Union with God is heaven. Our angels in heaven behold our end, behold our purpose and destiny, and constantly pray for us to attain that eternal end. While we are on the journey toward that destination, they both guide and protect us.
Here in Exodus we see a type of that divine economy. When Israel seemed doomed to extermination by the bloodthirsty Pharaoh, the Lord revealed himself as Savior, and used his mighty power to ensure a future to that hopeless crowd of undocumented workers. The life of God’s people is the object of God’s gentle, intense and saving love. He gave them freedom from servitude, and he gave them an identity and a history–all tied up with his love and compassion and endless faithfulness. When they discovered God, they discovered their true identity. It is a type of the life of the Church, and a type of each Christian life. When I learn what it is to be an obedient and loving child of God, I discover my true identity. No need to go in search of self any longer. My identity is defined by my child-relationship with God.
Some years ago, one of my students stupidly–he admits that–hitched a ride in a pickup truck bed. He was thrown out and should have been killed. I am convinced that the guardian Angels–a whole mattress full of them–kept him from death. Moreover, those angels probably have saved other teens in the city from trying the same means of transportation. It’s another reason to give thanks and praise.
