Entertaining Angels
Now it was time for fun and relaxation. We had completed our work with the Benedictine sisters in Nassau, Bahamas. Sue and I donned our swimsuits, grabbed some towels and headed for the ocean. Sue could swim; I wished I could. She ran and splashed into the ocean; I walked along the edge of the water, enjoying the wet sand squishing through my toes and watching for seashells.
After half an hour I sat down in wet sand on the shore. I could still enjoy the water even though I was not swimming in it. The waves rhythmically and gently rolled ashore. The breeze brought refreshing touches to my face and shoulders. The sun warmed my shoulders although I was alert to avoid sunburn.
Soon Sue came ashore. I tried to get up from my sitting place. I couldn’t get my footing in the wet sand. Panic began to gnaw at my insides as I lost my ability to rise. I seemed to be at the mercy of the wet sand. I feared ocean water would move farther on the shore soon. Sue tried to help me to a standing position without success. It was late in the afternoon; we could not see anyone around who could help us. What were we to do?
Suddenly a man I presumed was Bahamian appeared at the top of the steep embankment behind us. “Do you need some help?” he called to us.
“Yes. I can’t get up from the wet sand!”
He came down. He said nothing. He leaned forward, took hold of my waist and lifted me. I was up.
Sue and I gathered our things, letting our anxiety ease. When we looked around, the man had disappeared. We regretted that we hadn’t given him adequate thanks. He had saved us from a crisis. All we could do now was to walk back to the monastery—with relief and gratitude.
The ocean event lingered with me for several days. I, who am not a swimmer and who fears currents and even getting my face under water, still felt tinges of panic, along with relief and gratitude. Finally, I wondered: “Were we rescued by an angel?” Our rescuer had come and left suddenly and said nothing beyond his question. Such are the ways I’ve heard in stories about angels. They appear when needed and then disappear. Scripture alerts us that sometimes we have entertained–talked with, interacted with—angels without knowing it (Heb 13:2).
As we make our transition from 2025 to 2026, we can anticipate opportunities to notice and respond to angels, who are messengers of God in various disguises. A friend’s hearty laugh changes my mood. Squirrels playing tag in the new snow move me out of my seriousness. A statement in a book I’m reading gives me an impulse to ask for help. Communications from God to support and challenge us can be given us through such events. What angels might we meet this year? When might we serve as an angel bringing care, challenges, strength of God to others?
Mary Reuter, OSB
