Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2021
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 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.