Daily Readings - Mon Oct 02 2023
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 readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of guidance, humility, and the presence of God in our lives. In the first reading from Exodus, God promises to send an Angel to guide and protect the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. This Angel is not just a passive guide but an active presence who demands obedience and Orients the people toward the fulfillment of God's plan. The context of this passage is crucial—it comes as the Israelites are preparing to enter the land God has prepared for them, emphasizing trust in divine providence and the importance of heeding God's voice.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents a different yet complementary perspective. Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility and becoming like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. He emphasizes that true greatness in God's eyes is found in humility and simplicity. The mention of Angels in this passage underscores the dignity and worth of every person, especially the vulnerable, and reminds us that our actions toward others have spiritual significance. The context here is a moment of instruction for the disciples, who were arguing about who was the greatest, and Jesus uses the image of a child to challenge their understanding of power and status.
These readings are connected by the theme of guidance and the call to trust in God's plan. In Exodus, the Angel represents God's active presence guiding his people. In Matthew, the child represents the humility and openness needed to receive God's kingdom. Together, they remind us that our journey of faith requires both trust in God's guidance and a willingness to embrace humility and simplicity. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask for the grace to be guided by God's voice, to approach life with the humility of a child, and to treat others with the dignity and compassion that reflects our shared worth in God's eyes. May we remember that we are never alone on our journey, for God's presence and care are always with us.