“Coming up out of the water, Jesus saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and angels were ministering to Him.” Mark 1:10-13 NASB

The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke retell the story, that Jesus must have shared with his disciples, of being tested by Satan, while he wandered in the wilderness after his baptism. There he questioned his purpose, fighting off temptations that would have reduced his ministry to showmanship and the spectacular.

One doesn’t often think of ministering angels when Lent begins. Yet, here they are, near Jesus, caring for his needs while he is defining how he will live out, being God’s “Beloved, Son.” Who were these angels, these messengers from God? Were they human or were they divine?

And what of us? What ministering angels have been among us? Throughout  our lives there are people who come to us as angels, messengers of divine love and compassion. Most often they come to us in human form. Bringing light when we are struggling in darkness, lifting our spirits when we despair, and in ways that are unique to us, giving us exactly what is needed.

Living through the trauma  of  paramilitary, masked and unaccountable ICE agents in my area, has forced vulnerable people to shelter in their homes. In the midst of the trauma, angels of mercy have been delivering groceries to people hovering inside their homes, fearful of being racially profiled, detained and having their lives upended. These angels have been on street corners with whistles blowing, warning of danger, marched in the streets of Minneapolis 50,000 strong in sub-zero temperatures, protesting the injustice they were seeing . . . Raising funds for rent, demanding justice, and insisting that individual rights be followed. They have protected little children on their way to schools, carried medicine into homes, and tended to the needs of the most vulnerable.

It’s unlikely that any of these would name themselves as angels, but only people who saw a need, and in seeing, felt compelled to act.

There are indeed angels among us. They are God’s caregivers, and lifesavers. We recognize them through their works of compassion, mercy, and divine love flowing through them.

Jesus, in the wilderness, tempted by Satan, was ministered to by angels. Still today, Jesus continues to be ministered to by angels whenever acts of mercy and compassion, touch the least of God’s children.

‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40