Daily Readings - Sat Oct 02 2021
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
The first reading from Exodus reminds us of God’s promise to send an angel to guide and protect His people on their journey to the Promised Land. This angel is not just a guardian but also a manifestation of God’s presence, carrying His authority. The reading warns that disregarding this divine guidance will have consequences, but obedience will bring victory over enemies. The context is rooted in the Israelites’ wilderness journey, where God is teaching them to trust Him and follow His commands as they prepare to enter the land He has prepared for them.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the humility and innocence of little children. Jesus uses a child as an example of the attitude required to enter the kingdom of heaven. He emphasizes that greatness in God’s eyes is not about power or status but about humility and a willingness to be like a child. Jesus also warns against despising or neglecting the least among us, noting that even the smallest ones have angels in heaven who see the face of God. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and treat everyone with dignity, recognizing that each person is loved and protected by God.
Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and humility. The Exodus reading calls us to trust in God’s guidance, just as the Israelites were to follow the angel. The Gospel reminds us that true greatness comes from humility and a childlike trust in God. In our daily lives, we are called to approach challenges with faith, knowing that God is with us, and to treat others with the same love and respect we would give to Christ Himself. Let us strive to live with humility, trusting in God’s plan and recognizing the inherent dignity of every person as a beloved child of God.