THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “Angels among Us”
Every once in a while, I believe it is important for all of us to pause and reflect on why we do what we do. Take a look at the above photo, taken on one of our recent Mission trips.
I do truly believe that there are angels among us, those glimpses of the Face of God that sometimes protect us, sometimes chide us to do better, sometimes remind us how we are called to be God’s angels to the most vulnerable…yes, it is a two way street.
Many years ago, the group Alabama came out with a song, entitled Angels Among Us. The faces of the two children I’ve attached are the “angels among us”. They are the glimpses of God that reach out, from their voiceless poverty, to remind us “how to live, how to give, how to be the light of love”.
I am especially captivated by the deep sorrow in the little girl’s face. Her eyes pierce my soul. The swollen belly, probably from parasites or malnourishment, her lack of clothing, the lack of a smile which usually comes so readily for a child. Her eyes beckon me to try and be the voice for the most vulnerable, especially those most marginalized in poor, hungry areas like Nicaragua. Her eyes speak volumes- perhaps of fear, perhaps of hopelessness, perhaps of helplessness. Her eyes invite each of us to reflect….that no child, no human being, should have to live in despair and sadness.
In Psalm 91, we are reminded that “God commands the angels to guard us in all our ways. With their hands, they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”
Many a time in my life, I’ve felt the presence of the angels. I hope you have as well.
So, in gratitude for all our Guardian Angels who have protected us and guided us, perhaps we could understand that we, too, are called to be angels for others. If we believe we have been made in the image and likeness of God, then we are called to be glimpses of that God for others. We are called to be the compassionate presence of God (or whomever we call our Divine Creator). We are called to help support others, to raise them up from hopelessness. Let each of us live up to the call of being a “glimpse of God” for others, to give voice to those too weak or too powerless to speak for themselves, to go to those in their darkest hours, to comfort with a kind word and a helping hand, to be HOPE! And let us thank God for the angels among us.
And so….I THANK YOU!
Angels Among Us by Alabama
I was walkin’ home from school
On a cold winter day,
Took a short cut through the woods
And I lost my way.
It was gettin’ late, and I was scared and alone.
Then a kind old man took my hand, and led me home.
Mama couldn’t see him,
But he was standing there,
And I knew in my heart
He was the answer to my prayer.Oh, I believe there are Angels Among Us,
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love.When life held troubled times
And had me down on my knees
There’s always been someone
To come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger
To lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend
Just to say I understand
Now ain’t it kind of funny
At the dark end of the road
Someone light the way with just a single ray of hope.They wear so many faces, Show up in the strangest places And grace us with their mercies in our time of need.To guide us with a light of love
Sr. Debbie Blow, OP