Angel at O’Hare (10/02/2023)

Today is the Memorial of Guardian Angels. And as I wrote the morning scripture reflection, I recalled my sister Betty’s encounter with “an angel” at O’Hare years ago. She had come to visit me because of my surgeries for breast cancer. She hated flying, but she did it anyway to be there to help me in my recovery. On the day of her return flight, I had arranged for a limo to take her to the airport and drop her at the right terminal. When she arrived, she somehow got all turned around, and in her confusion and panic, was just standing in the terminal, looking around and then looking at her ticket. And suddenly a gentleman in an airline uniform spoke to her. He asked if he could help her. And he did; he got her to the right area and in line. And then, he disappeared.

When my sister made it to the head of the line, she told the airline agent that she so appreciated their staff person helping her earlier in the terminal. The agent looked surprised, my sister said, then asked, “A gentleman in a uniform for our airline helped you?” My sister confirmed that was correct. Then the agent helping her said, “I don’t know how that could be. You must be mistaken. We don’t have any men on staff at this terminal. But I’m glad you found your way.”

My sister never forgot this man nor that experience. She swore whenever she told the story that it must have been a guardian angel. And she told the story frequently when she heard others speak of being lost or afraid.

Many of us may have similar experiences of someone who suddenly appeared and helped us when we most needed it. Jesus spoke of angels who guard and guide us (Matthew 18:10). And in the exodus story, the LORD tells Moses and the people that an angel will guide them and guard them to their destination (Exodus 23). It makes sense, really, when we think about it, that our LORD who cares about us and our journey in this life would give us such spiritual help.

As we continue on our journeys of faith, hope, and love, let us not despair in the difficult and challenging times. Let us have faith in our LORD and let us be open to the myriad of ways the LORD’s love for us manifest itself in the LORD’s power and presence. And let us be aware that there may be angels among us and that sometimes one of us may be called to be “an angel” to another.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.