Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2024
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 presence of God in our lives and the call to humility. In the first reading from Exodus, God promises to send an Angel to guide and protect the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. This Angel is not just a helper but a divine presence who carries God’s authority and name. The reading reminds us that God’s guidance is always available, but it requires our trust and obedience. Disregarding this presence can lead to separation from God’s will, while listening and following it brings us into harmony with God’s plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility and childlike simplicity. He uses a child as an example of the kind of trust and openness we should have toward God. To “become like little children” means letting go of pride and self-reliance, embracing instead a posture of dependence on God. Jesus also emphasizes the dignity of every person, especially the vulnerable, by noting that even the smallest ones have Angels in heaven who watch over them. This reminds us that every life is precious and deserves respect and care.
These readings connect in their emphasis on trust and humility. Just as the Israelites were called to trust in God’s Angel, we too are called to trust in God’s presence in our lives. Like the child in the Gospel, we must approach God with simplicity and openness, recognizing our need for guidance and protection. In our daily lives, this means being attentive to the ways God speaks to us, whether through others, circumstances, or the quiet voice of our conscience. It also means treating everyone with kindness and respect, remembering that each person has inherent dignity and is loved by God. Let us strive to live with humility and trust, knowing that we are never alone on our journey, for God’s presence is always with us.