I am so grateful that the Gospel passage for this Sunday does not end with Jesus suffering in the desert. Rather, the passage ends with, “Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.” For me, this is the beauty of our faith. That we absolutely cannot exist without being in relationship with others, and angels are sent to aid with our healing.
And so I ask, Who are the angels that are surrounding you? Who are the people in your life who have ministered or are ministering to you now?
When we are in the desert, when we are hungry, not sure where to turn, we are sent angels in our lives who will come to our aid, if only we let them. And if we are open to the Spirit, and ready to receive those moments of grace.
Though at times it may seem easier to hide away and withdraw from others, no doubt that God sees you and desires to draw you in from the desert of where you may find yourself this Lenten season. There is no place God will not go to find us and reach us.
And the challenge is this - to enter the desert, knowing that we will encounter temptation, suffering, despair, and sadness, but we will have faith, knowing that Jesus already knows, and God is with us every step of the way. Even when it is dark, when we are famished and at a loss, God sees us - you and me - and always sends angels.
--Crystal Catalan
Image source: Lorenzo Ghiberti, Temptation of Christ, Baptistry (North Doors), Florence (c.1401-1424). This and many other representations of Jesus ministered to by angels in the desert can be found here: https://imaginemdei.blogspot.com/2012/02/and-angels-ministered-to-him.html
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