Daily Readings - Wed Oct 02 2019
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 powerful themes of guidance, humility, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from Exodus describes God's promise to send an angel to lead the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. This angel is not just a guide but also a protector, bearing God's name and authority. The reading emphasizes the importance of heeding this divine guidance, for it is through obedience that the Israelites will overcome their enemies and reach the land prepared for them. The context is one of trust and reliance on God's providence, even in the face of uncertainty and challenge.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the humility required to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus uses the example of a little child to illustrate the kind of simplicity and trust that should characterize our relationship with God. The disciples, caught up in their own ambitions and debates about greatness, are reminded that true greatness lies in humility and service. Jesus further emphasizes the dignity of the vulnerable, noting that even the "little ones" have angels in heaven who watch over them. This teaching challenges us to approach life with a childlike openness and to treat all people, especially the vulnerable, with reverence and care.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. Like the Israelites, we are called to trust in God's guidance, even when the path ahead is unclear. Like the disciples, we are challenged to let go of our pride and ambition, embracing instead the humility and simplicity of a child. In our daily lives, this might mean listening more carefully to the "angels" God places in our lives—whether through Scripture, prayer, or the wisdom of others—and treating every person with the dignity they deserve as children of God. May we strive to live with the faith of a child and the courage to follow where God leads.