‘The Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seem slow, wait for it …’ This text is taken from our Old Testament reading for today, from the prophet Habakkuk.  It counsels us to practise the virtue of patience, that steadfast endurance under pressure, whilst a greater good is awaited and longed for.

Had it not been a Sunday, we would have had the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels; so here is a prayer to finish with, to our guardian angel: ‘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, rule and guide’.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church tell us: ‘From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their [the angels’] 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 to God’.

May God bless you this day, and your angel watch over you.