Served by angels

 

Matthew 4: 1-11
New Ark United Church of Christ, Newark, DE
February 22, 2026

Photo of Black children standing in a line
as adults dish out food into takeout containers for them.

About what feels like a million years ago when I was an associate pastor in Dayton, OH, my senior minister colleague created a Lenten theme entitled “Pardon my Lenten smile”. He had buttons made for everyone. I still have mine. It wasn’t about positive thinking or wearing a smile over our misery but a reminder about Jesus’ instruction about fasting. Jesus said that we shouldn’t look morose like the hypocrites who mark their faces to show they are fasting. Instead, we should look our best, perhaps even smile, so that our fasting is not obvious to anyone but God.



This year, given the struggle and misery already present in our world, some folks are suggesting a similar take on Lent. One online worship liturgy group has the theme “Tell me something good”. Nadia Bolz-Weber is inviting people to post on social media and use the hashtag “40 days of good stuff”, but she uses another word for stuff. We could all use some good news, some reasons to smile these 40 days, to keep our hope alive, as the Rev. Jesse Jackson said it. So, here’s some good stuff.



After witnessing firsthand what happens when people are released from ICE detention centers in Minnesota, often traumatized, without phones, IDs, transportation, or even proper clothing in extreme cold, an organization called Haven Watch was formed. Volunteers are there when detainees are released during the day or the middle of the night to meet them with a phone, warm clothing, and a ride. Now they also serve as a trusted community resource, offering help with legal and immigration questions, healthcare referrals, lost wages, and more. From their website: “We exist to be a reliable haven for people navigating one of the most difficult moments of their lives—and we are committed to this work for as long as it’s needed.”



Remember the tow truck driver that returns abandoned vehicles to families after ICE arrests the owner. There’s also Ivan Alamonte, organizer and founder of Respuesta Rápida de Durham or Rapid Response of Durham in North Carolina, who fields calls from people wanting to know their rights when they see ICE agents patrolling their neighborhood. Sometimes he sends a group of prepared volunteers to someone’s home to ask agents what they are doing there. Then there’s the Community Self-Defense Coalition in Los Angeles that has trained volunteers who patrol all over Los Angeles daily to spot ICE activity. Grassroots organizations across the country are leading “know your rights” workshops and engaging in ever-stronger efforts to support and defend immigrant communities.



Closer to home, during the last Code Purple we hosted, our 7th this season, one of our guests had his seated walker collapse under him and it could not be repaired. Luckily, another seated walker had been donated to the church not too long ago and his broken walker was replaced with an almost new one. His relief, joy, and thanks was overflowing. Later it was discovered that the walker had belonged to Risa and her son donated it when he was moving into a smaller apartment.



A few weeks ago, when we had freezing cold temperatures and high winds, a Code Purple volunteer transported clients from one church to another, some of whom have mobility issues. Due to a breakdown in communication and after several phone calls, it was learned that the receiving church would not be open for another 4 hours. The volunteer took everyone to McDonalds and bought lunch so that they would be allowed to stay there. The volunteer returned later to get everyone to the church. If you would like to support Code Purple but can’t volunteer, consider buying some McDonalds gift cards or bus passes. Usually Code Purple ends at 6:30 in the morning. A bus pass and a gift card means they have somewhere warm to go to for a little while.



All of the 5 churches that provide space and volunteers for Code Purple are supported by food prepared and donated by the University of Delaware and by Caffe Gelato when school is not in session.



When the tempter had finished with Jesus, it says, “and suddenly angels came and waited on him”. Mr. Rogers instructed us to always look for the helpers. He said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”



And yet that’s only half of the good news in this temptation story. Yes, we are surrounded by angels, by helpers, by people who are generous and kind, and sometimes we’re one of them. This moment in our nation’s history is teaching us that it is possible to create community, organize resistance, build alternative structures of support in even in the midst of the things we vehemently oppose.



But in order to be surrounded by angels, to create this kind of community, we have to get closer to people, people who need our help, people we need help from. Getting closer means being vulnerable, open, honest, trustworthy, generous, compassionate, merciful. Which means turning away from power, privilege, control, convenience, ego, name recognition, the dominant culture, and our dependence on it.



20th century psychologist Abraham Maslow, who developed a hierarchy of needs, said, “It is quite true that man lives by bread alone—when there is no bread. But what happens to man’s desires when there is plenty of bread and when his belly is chronically filled?” Jesus didn’t turn down a loaf of bread offered to him. He turned down the desire to abuse power, to control his circumstances. Jesus did not just turn down an opportunity to test God. He turned down the sacrifice of his safety for unlimited freedom. Jesus didn’t just turn down the chance to be a global influencer. He turned down ego, fame, and the numbers that come with it.



The fast that Jesus chose was one that denounced a proximity to power and instead he chose proximity to people and that is good news. This is from my remarks on Ash Wednesday: “The season of Lent is a time when we are called to fast from our self-interest. When Jesus began his ministry, he quoted from the prophet Isaiah, who essentially said that when we turn away from our self-interest and choose the interests of the most marginalized amongst us and commit to materially changing their lives, it is like the sun rising on a new day. It is an everflowing stream in the desert. It is healing and vindication and an answer for help. When everyone has what they need, we all do better. It is repair and restoration. It is nothing less than the kindom of God.”



Tell each other something good. Look for the helpers. Share the good stuff. Get closer to people. Let them get closer to you. Check your self-interest at the door. Be an angel and serve somebody. Sounds like a darn good reason to smile. A Lenten fast that never really has to end. Amen.

Benediction


Tell each other something good.
Look for the helpers.
Share the good stuff.
Get closer to people.
Let them get closer to you.
Check your self-interest at the door.
Be an angel and serve somebody.
Do the Jesus things.
You are dust and to dust you shall return.
You are loved and to Love you shall return. Amen.