Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2020
First Reading: Exodus 23.20-23a
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.
Psalm 91
1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.2I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Gospel: Matthew 18.1-5, 10
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 two powerful themes: the guidance of God and the call to humility. The first reading from Exodus describes God’s promise to send an Angel to lead the Israelites on their journey, protecting them and guiding them to the Promised Land. This Angel is not just a passive guide but an active presence who demands to be heeded. Disregarding the Angel’s voice is not just a mistake—it carries serious consequences. This passage reminds us that God’s presence is both gracious and demanding, requiring us to listen and obey.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the humility required to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus uses the image of a little child to teach the disciples about the kind of heart needed to follow Him. Children, in their simplicity and dependence, model the humility and trust that God desires from us. Jesus also warns against despising the “little ones,” emphasizing that even the smallest among us are precious in God’s eyes. Each of us has an Angel who watches over us and intercedes for us, a reminder of our dignity and the care of our heavenly Father.
These readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. Like the Israelites, we are called to trust in God’s guidance, even when the path is uncertain. Like the little children, we are called to approach life with humility, recognizing our dependence on God and our need for His grace. Let us ask ourselves: Do we listen to the voice of God in our lives? Do we treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve as children of God? May we learn to trust in God’s plan and to live with the humility and simplicity of heart that Jesus teaches.