Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2025
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful themes: the guidance of God and the call to humility. The first reading from Exodus reminds us that God has always been a God who guides and protects his people. He sends his Angel before us, not just as a companion on our journey, but as one who preserves and leads us to the place he has prepared. This Angel is no ordinary being; he bears God’s name and carries his authority. The reading warns us that we must heed the Angel’s voice, for he will not tolerate disregard for God’s will. If we listen and obey, God promises to be an enemy to our enemies and to afflict those who afflict us. This passage is a reminder of God’s faithfulness and our responsibility to trust in his providence.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the virtue of humility. Jesus, in response to the disciples’ question about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven, places a child in their midst and tells them that unless they become like little children, they will not enter the kingdom. This is not about innocence or naivety but about humility, trust, and dependence on God. Jesus emphasizes that true greatness in the kingdom is found in lowering oneself and serving others. He also warns us not to despise or neglect the “little ones,” for their angels in heaven see the face of God. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and to approach life with the simplicity and openness of a child.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. The Angel in Exodus represents God’s active presence in our lives, guiding us and calling us to fidelity. The child in Matthew represents the humility and trust we must cultivate to enter the kingdom. Together, these readings remind us that our journey with God requires both trust in his guidance and a willingness to embrace humility. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain? Do we approach life with the humility and openness of a child? May we learn to follow God’s lead and to see the dignity and worth in every person, especially the most vulnerable among us.