Daily Readings - Wed Oct 02 2024
Exodus
20Behold, I will send my Angel, who will go before you, and preserve you on your journey, and lead you into the place that I have prepared21Heed him, and hear his voice, and do not hold him in disregard. For he will not release you when you have sinned, and my name is in him22But if you listen to his voice and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will afflict those who afflict you23And my Angel will go before you, and he will bring you to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Canaanite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, whom I will crush
Matthew
1In that hour, the disciples drew near to Jesus, saying, "Whom do you consider to be greater in the kingdom of heaven?2And Jesus, calling to himself a little child, placed him in their midst3And he said: "Amen I say to you, unless you change and become like little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven4Therefore, whoever will have humbled himself like this little child, such a one is greater in the kingdom of heaven5And whoever shall accept one such little child in my name, accepts me10See to it that you do not despise even one of these little ones. For I say to you, that their Angels in heaven continually look upon the face of my Father, who is in heaven
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the presence of God in our lives and the call to humility. In the first reading from Exodus, God promises to send an Angel to guide and protect the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. This Angel is not just a helper but a divine presence who carries God’s authority and name. The reading reminds us that God’s guidance is always available, but it requires our trust and obedience. Disregarding this presence can lead to separation from God’s will, while listening and following it brings us into harmony with God’s plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility and childlike simplicity. He uses a child as an example of the kind of trust and openness we should have toward God. To “become like little children” means letting go of pride and self-reliance, embracing instead a posture of dependence on God. Jesus also emphasizes the dignity of every person, especially the vulnerable, by noting that even the smallest ones have Angels in heaven who watch over them. This reminds us that every life is precious and deserves respect and care.
These readings connect in their emphasis on trust and humility. Just as the Israelites were called to trust in God’s Angel, we too are called to trust in God’s presence in our lives. Like the child in the Gospel, we must approach God with simplicity and openness, recognizing our need for guidance and protection. In our daily lives, this means being attentive to the ways God speaks to us, whether through others, circumstances, or the quiet voice of our conscience. It also means treating everyone with kindness and respect, remembering that each person has inherent dignity and is loved by God. Let us strive to live with humility and trust, knowing that we are never alone on our journey, for God’s presence is always with us.