Daily Readings - Sat Oct 02 2021
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
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.