Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2018
First Reading: Exodus 23.20-23a
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,
Psalm 91
1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.2I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."3For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.4He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.5You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,6nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.7A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.8You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.9Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place--the Most High, who is my refuge--10no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.11For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.12On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.13You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.14"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.15When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.16With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Gospel: Matthew 18.1-5, 10
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of divine guidance and humility. In Exodus, God promises to send an angel to guide the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of heeding this divine messenger. This passage underscores God's providential care and the necessity of trust and obedience. In Matthew, Jesus teaches that humility, exemplified by the innocence of a child, is essential for entering the kingdom of heaven. He also highlights the special protection and dignity of the vulnerable, noting that their angels are always in God's presence.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust in God's plan. The angel in Exodus represents God's active presence guiding His people, while the child in Matthew symbolizes the humility required to follow God's will. Together, they remind us that our journey with God requires both trust in His guidance and a humble heart open to His teachings.
In our daily lives, we can apply these lessons by seeking to trust in God's providence, even when the path is unclear. Embracing humility allows us to approach life with the openness and simplicity of a child, recognizing the inherent dignity in all people. Let us strive to live with faith and humility, trusting in God's plan and valuing the vulnerable, as we journey toward the kingdom of heaven.