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How would you feel if you literally told a demon to go to hell – and it went?

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I’d be stunned. Surprised. Maybe even a little arrogant.

That’s how the disciples felt in today’s Gospel. 

Jesus sends them out on mission – to cast out demons and to heal the sick in his name – and they did! Now they’ve returned rejoicing.

While Jesus rejoices with them, he also warns them against puffing up their chests. 

The disciples need a reminder that every good work – even casting out demons – comes from God. Nothing the disciples do will ever be on their own. 

Without the Holy Spirit, they can do nothing.

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Perhaps that’s a reminder to all of us. It’s easy to feel confident when we succeed. But the glory belongs to God.

Perhaps we organized a food drive and thousands of meals and thousands of dollars were collected. Give glory to God.

Maybe we sing as a cantor at Mass – people are soothed by our voice; maybe we delivered an inspirational homily; or got a promotion at work after years of hard work. Give glory to God.

Maybe we’re celebrating our first day of sobriety; our tenth wedding anniversary; or have overcome a particular trial. Give glory to God.

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Although we may not drive out demons like the disciples did, today we can accomplish great things.

But we must give glory to God, who alone is the source of all that is good.

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Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you know why.”

In my case, I know I was born to be a priest.

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Six years ago, on this Feast of the Guardian Angels, I was ordained a deacon in Saint Peter’s Basilica. It was the beginning of my ministry in the Church.

Over the years, I’ve baptized your children and grandchildren, celebrated weddings and vow renewals, prayed at the bedside of the sick and dying, and commended hundreds of people to the Lord.

Being a priest has been the greatest honor of my life. 

It’s why I was born.

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If we consider Twain’s words through the eyes of faith, we’ll discover an important truth. 

God has a purpose for all of our lives, a reason why we’re here. Once we discover it, we should never let go, because the closer we follow the Lord, the happier we’ll be.

Have you discovered the meaning of that “second day”? Do you know why you’re in this world?

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If you’re still looking for that purpose, ask your guardian angel to guide you. 

All we need to find the answer is an open heart. But finding the answer is only the beginning.

We should spend the rest of our lives carrying it out.

In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Here I am, LORD, I come to do your will” (Isaiah 6:8).

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Growing up, I used to watch a television show called “Touched by an Angel.” 

It was one of those feel good shows. 

There was always a person suffering for one reason or another, so God would send an angel to open that person’s eyes to grace, to see how intimately the Lord was working in their life.

By the end of the show, the problem was resolved. A person who was hurting was healed; a doubter came to faith; a broken heart was given peace.

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Throughout the bible, we hear about people who are touched by an angel.

For example, the Archangel Gabriel appears to Mary, telling her that she will conceive the Son of God in her womb.

A different angel appears to Saint Joseph, telling him that Mary’s pregnancy is God’s will; that there’s nothing to be afraid of.

The Apostle John later has a vision of the end of the world, as we hear in our first reading. John sees the Archangel Michael slaying Satan, that ancient serpent, the cause of evil in our world.

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Today’s feast of the Archangels reminds us that God is constantly working in our lives. But often we fail to see him, which is why the Lord sends angels to open our eyes to his presence.

Do I see God working in my life? 

If not, ask your guardian angel to show you.

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As the angels reminds us, the Lord is much closer than he appears; closer than we could ever imagine.