Once I planted molave seedlings in a vacant lot on the campus. As tree seedlings, having the impression that they are sturdy enough to withstand the elements, I thought, after planting them, we can leave them and flourish by themselves. A brother in the community informed me that after planting the molave tree seedlings, I have to take care of them still. I had to place tree guards to protect the tree seedlings from playful children who might trample them. Monitoring the pest that may feast on their leaves and buds is needed to ensure their growth. Pruning is necessary to assure that they will grow straight and not unnecessarily spend their nutrients in an undesired branch. One's responsibility towards the trees planted does not end after placing them on the ground. That is merely tree planting. Attending to their needs to assure their maturity is needed. That is tree growing.
When God created us, He did not leave us by ourselves. Being a responsible Father of us all, He did not permit that we swim in the dangerous and often tumultuous sea of life by ourselves. God continues to assist us in our life, way after our birth. God's nurturing help comes in many means. It may be through our parents, teachers, friends, or the people around us. In a special way, God created angels for the benefit of men. Angels are pure, created spirits. Angels are celestial or heavenly beings, of a higher order than human beings. Their name means servant or messenger of God. God directs them to protect and guide His precious creation: man.
God placed the angels at the service of men. St. Michael, whose name means Who is like God, defeated Lucifer and his minions in a fierce battle when the latter rebelled against God. St. Michael assists us in overcoming the temptations and powers of Satan. St. Gabriel, whose name means God is my strength, announced to Zachary and Mary the birth of their children, ushering in the beginning of man's salvation. St. Raphael, whose name implies God has healed, accompanied the young Tobit in search of a remedy for his ailing father. Blind; bodily ill; counselors; and druggists sought his intercessions. As their names take their reference in God, archangels are nobodies without God. As they attend to God, they aid man. God realized the angels' purpose by directing them in service of man; to protect, heal, and announce man's salvation. Through the angels, God manifests His abiding protection for man so that he may grow fully in accord with God's plan.
As we continue our journey back to God, in the context of Christian discipleship, know that God sends help to us through the angels. They accompany us as God desires them to be. The mere awareness of the angels' presence in our lives can improve our faithfulness in God. In facing the battle against good and evil, one draws confidence from the fact that he is not alone in his journey. God sends angels to be with us. From infancy to 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 (CCC 336).
This is how God grows and nurtures us. He never abandons us after creation. He entrusts us with the angels, to light and guard, to rule and guide us back to God.
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