Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2021
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
The first reading from Exodus reminds us of God’s promise to send an angel to guide and protect His people on their journey to the Promised Land. This angel is not just a guardian but also a manifestation of God’s presence, carrying His authority. The reading warns that disregarding this divine guidance will have consequences, but obedience will bring victory over enemies. The context is rooted in the Israelites’ wilderness journey, where God is teaching them to trust Him and follow His commands as they prepare to enter the land He has prepared for them.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the humility and innocence of little children. Jesus uses a child as an example of the attitude required to enter the kingdom of heaven. He emphasizes that greatness in God’s eyes is not about power or status but about humility and a willingness to be like a child. Jesus also warns against despising or neglecting the least among us, noting that even the smallest ones have angels in heaven who see the face of God. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and treat everyone with dignity, recognizing that each person is loved and protected by God.
Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and humility. The Exodus reading calls us to trust in God’s guidance, just as the Israelites were to follow the angel. The Gospel reminds us that true greatness comes from humility and a childlike trust in God. In our daily lives, we are called to approach challenges with faith, knowing that God is with us, and to treat others with the same love and respect we would give to Christ Himself. Let us strive to live with humility, trusting in God’s plan and recognizing the inherent dignity of every person as a beloved child of God.