Homily: February 22-2026, First Sunday of Lent (Angles)

 As I was preparing this homily, I first thought of preaching about the three temptations of Jesus. Then I changed my mind and thought of focusing on the first reading, and then perhaps the second reading. I couldn’t get the right inspiration, so I went through the readings several times over the past days. Finally, I noticed one phrase which stayed with me quietly but firmly:

“The devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.”

It was a reassuring resolution to an intense build-up of temptations. Jesus had fasted forty days. He endured hunger, thirst, solitary living and silence. At the end of it when he was at his weakest, tempting offers to satisfy His possible needs and wants were presented to Him.

He was at His weakest, physically, but he was also at His strongest, spiritually. As He overcame the temptations and defeated the devil, heaven responded - not with applause, but with accompaniment.

Angels came to minister to Him.

We see the same later in the Gospel of Luke. In the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was overwhelmed with agony and was praying intensely, we are told:

“An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.”

At the beginning of His ministry, in the desert, and at the end of His ministry, in the garden, when Jesus was at His weakest and lowest moments, heaven was with Him. He was accompanied. An angel from heaven strengthened Him.

We too have our personal angels. We may not see them or feel their presence, but they are there by our side all the time, through our ups and downs, especially during our weakest and lowest moments.

Angels are given to all of us by God. They accompany us throughout life.

Psalm 91 says: “He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.”

Jesus Himself said: “Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my Father.”

And the Catechism teaches us clearly:

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. (CCC 336)

That means at this moment, as you sit here, you are not alone. Beside you is your guardian angel, standing guard as your protector and shepherd, assigned by God.

Unseen—but real.

Silent—but attentive.

Hidden—but active.

Padre Pio encouraged people to speak to their guardian angel as to a friend who never leaves them. St. Gemma Galgani experienced her angel’s companionship vividly. St. Faustina also wrote about the help of angels throughout her mission.

We do not need to see our angels but know that they will never abandon us.

And this is a beautiful message for Lent.

Lent is often described as a desert. And we go through it with fasting, giving and prayer. We may feel weak, lonely, and the need to be self-assured.

Tempted but not given in.

Discouraged but not beaten.

Alone but not abandoned.

As we walk our Lenten journey, as we walk through life, our angels are with us, all the time.

To our catechumens and candidates especially: as you continue your walk towards the Easter sacraments, remember that our Catholic faith is rich beyond imagination. 

The Father pours out grace. The Son gives His life and saves. The Holy Spirit dwells within you. Mother mary wraps you with such pure love. And yes - your angel accompanies you.

It is perfectly fine to have a casual prayer conversation with your guardian angel, it is one way of connecting with our God, through our angel.

We have traditional prayer to our angel: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here…”

Not childish.

Not sentimental.

But profoundly true.

You will face temptations.

You will feel weak.

You will experience desert moments.

But you will never face them alone.

Because when the battle ends—

when perseverance holds—

when faith remains—

angels minister still.

Amen.