A homily on Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 :The Angels Who See the Face of God (12-8-25)

A Homily on Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 showing the dignity of every person through heaven’s eyes, (12-5-25).

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

A little girl once stood near a football court, watching the play. She was very poor and had no shoes, her dress was torn, and no one called her to join. However, she clapped for every goal and made the team very happy. One day the school teacher passed by and heard her sing quietly to herself. Later, the teacher told the class, “Do you know that girl? She has a sweet voice. When she sings, it is as though the gates of heaven are opening.” From that day the children began to notice her and started to enjoy her singing. The one who had been invisible was now seen and loved and the one they had ignored became precious in their eyes.

That change in the children’s eyes is a small hint of what Jesus speaks about in today’s Gospel: “Their angels always see the face of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). In other words, every person has a value that heaven already sees, even when we do not. Because each person is formed in the likeness of God. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them” (Genesis1/27). The little girl on the field had always been special, but no one noticed until they saw her through a new eye. Jesus calls us to see every person in this way, with heaven’s eyes and with God’s eyes. But if we have to see it we have to move the log from the eyes that blurs our vision. Jesus calls out:” You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye”(Mt.5/7).

This truth runs deep in the history of salvation. In the Old Testament, when Hagar wandered in the wilderness, feeling unwanted and alone, God sent His angel to her. She responded by calling Him “the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13). God saw her worth before anyone else did. In the same way, the angels who stand before the Father’s face see the worth of those who are often left at the edges of life — the child who struggles in school, the sick neighbour in bed, the elderly relative who speaks little, the person with disabilities who sits quietly at the back of the church. Even if we have some weakness we should be grateful to God because our weakness doesn’t matter we have much greatness over it. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”(Ps.139/14) 

In our families, this truth can transform relationships. But quiet often, we may praise the child who brings home good marks, but we must also see the quiet one who serves others in small ways. We might be admiring the strong breadwinner, while ignoring the elderly parent whose silent prayers hold the family together.

In religious communities too, it can happen that everyone   might notice the one who leads the choir or preaches well, on the other hand ignoring the community members who cleans the chapel quietly every morning or cooks. Nonetheless before God, the one whom we do not notice may be the one who brings the greatest joy to Him. He insists “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”(Mt6/3)  St. Gerard Majella served as a porter, opening the door to guests and delivering messages. He had not performed any great public works, even then his humility and prayer touched many hearts. St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, also could be a good example. He had been a porter for forty years; however, he transformed his simple duty into a sacred act of love for God and neighbour.   St. Therese of Lisieux lived this truth in a hidden convent, and she wished to hide herself in the heart of God, doing small acts with great love. These saints understood that being seen by God was enough. Because when one boasts himself before others he is be rewarded in earth itself being disqualified for heavenly acknowledgement. 

If we happen to believe truly that every person has an angel who sees the face of God, then every meeting and every conversation becomes a divine act. The way we speak to the least of our family, our parish, or our community is the way we speak to heaven itself.  Hence, let us ask God for His eyes and His heart, so that no one in our presence will ever feel unaccepted again.

Lord,  let me see the greatness of others as you see …

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