Daily Readings - Thu Oct 02 2025
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 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.