Daily Readings - Mon Oct 02 2017
Exodus
20"Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.21Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him.22"But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.23"When my angel goes before you and brings you to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, and I blot them out,
Matthew
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"2And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them3and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,10"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound teachings from Exodus and Matthew that guide us toward a life of trust, humility, and divine connection. The Exodus passage describes God's promise to send an angel to guide the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of obedience and trust in God's providence. This angelic presence is not just a guide but also a protector, underscoring the necessity of heeding divine guidance. In Matthew, Jesus teaches about the humility required to enter the kingdom of heaven, likening it to the innocence of a child. He also mentions that each child has an angel in heaven who continually beholds God's face, highlighting the sacred value of each individual, especially the vulnerable.
These readings, though from different contexts, share a common thread—the role of angels and the virtue of humility. In Exodus, the angel represents God's active presence and guidance, while in Matthew, angels symbolize the divine care for each person, particularly children. Together, they remind us that our journey is not solitary; we are accompanied by divine messengers. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on trust and humility. Just as the Israelites were to trust the angel's guidance, we are called to embrace humility, recognizing our dependence on God.
In our daily lives, these teachings invite us to cultivate trust and humility. Trusting in God's guidance means surrendering our will to His, even when the path is uncertain. Humility involves recognizing our limitations and valuing each person's worth, especially the weak. Let us reflect on how we can embody this humility and trust, allowing God's presence to guide us. May we find strength in His promises and inspiration in the innocence of children, trusting that our angels are ever-vigilant, interceding on our behalf. Let us strive to live with hearts open to divine guidance, embracing humility as a cornerstone of our faith.