Daily Readings - Thu Oct 02 2025
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful themes: the guidance of God and the call to humility. The first reading from Exodus reminds us that God has always been a God who guides and protects his people. He sends his Angel before us, not just as a companion on our journey, but as one who preserves and leads us to the place he has prepared. This Angel is no ordinary being; he bears God’s name and carries his authority. The reading warns us that we must heed the Angel’s voice, for he will not tolerate disregard for God’s will. If we listen and obey, God promises to be an enemy to our enemies and to afflict those who afflict us. This passage is a reminder of God’s faithfulness and our responsibility to trust in his providence.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the virtue of humility. Jesus, in response to the disciples’ question about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven, places a child in their midst and tells them that unless they become like little children, they will not enter the kingdom. This is not about innocence or naivety but about humility, trust, and dependence on God. Jesus emphasizes that true greatness in the kingdom is found in lowering oneself and serving others. He also warns us not to despise or neglect the “little ones,” for their angels in heaven see the face of God. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and to approach life with the simplicity and openness of a child.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. The Angel in Exodus represents God’s active presence in our lives, guiding us and calling us to fidelity. The child in Matthew represents the humility and trust we must cultivate to enter the kingdom. Together, these readings remind us that our journey with God requires both trust in his guidance and a willingness to embrace humility. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain? Do we approach life with the humility and openness of a child? May we learn to follow God’s lead and to see the dignity and worth in every person, especially the most vulnerable among us.