Daily Readings - Mon Oct 02 2017
First Reading - Exodus 23.20-23a
Exodus
20Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.21Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.22But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.23For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.
Gospel - Matthew 18.1-5, 10
Matthew
1At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?2And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound teachings from Exodus and Matthew that guide us toward a life of trust, humility, and divine connection. The Exodus passage describes God's promise to send an angel to guide the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of obedience and trust in God's providence. This angelic presence is not just a guide but also a protector, underscoring the necessity of heeding divine guidance. In Matthew, Jesus teaches about the humility required to enter the kingdom of heaven, likening it to the innocence of a child. He also mentions that each child has an angel in heaven who continually beholds God's face, highlighting the sacred value of each individual, especially the vulnerable.
These readings, though from different contexts, share a common thread—the role of angels and the virtue of humility. In Exodus, the angel represents God's active presence and guidance, while in Matthew, angels symbolize the divine care for each person, particularly children. Together, they remind us that our journey is not solitary; we are accompanied by divine messengers. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on trust and humility. Just as the Israelites were to trust the angel's guidance, we are called to embrace humility, recognizing our dependence on God.
In our daily lives, these teachings invite us to cultivate trust and humility. Trusting in God's guidance means surrendering our will to His, even when the path is uncertain. Humility involves recognizing our limitations and valuing each person's worth, especially the weak. Let us reflect on how we can embody this humility and trust, allowing God's presence to guide us. May we find strength in His promises and inspiration in the innocence of children, trusting that our angels are ever-vigilant, interceding on our behalf. Let us strive to live with hearts open to divine guidance, embracing humility as a cornerstone of our faith.