Daily Readings - Fri Oct 02 2020
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.
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 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.