Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2025
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 reminds us that God has always been a God who guides and protects his people. He sends his Angel before us, not just as a companion on our journey, but as one who preserves and leads us to the place he has prepared. This Angel is no ordinary being; he bears God’s name and carries his authority. The reading warns us that we must heed the Angel’s voice, for he will not tolerate disregard for God’s will. If we listen and obey, God promises to be an enemy to our enemies and to afflict those who afflict us. This passage is a reminder of God’s faithfulness and our responsibility to trust in his providence.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the virtue of humility. Jesus, in response to the disciples’ question about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven, places a child in their midst and tells them that unless they become like little children, they will not enter the kingdom. This is not about innocence or naivety but about humility, trust, and dependence on God. Jesus emphasizes that true greatness in the kingdom is found in lowering oneself and serving others. He also warns us not to despise or neglect the “little ones,” for their angels in heaven see the face of God. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and to approach life with the simplicity and openness of a child.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. The Angel in Exodus represents God’s active presence in our lives, guiding us and calling us to fidelity. The child in Matthew represents the humility and trust we must cultivate to enter the kingdom. Together, these readings remind us that our journey with God requires both trust in his guidance and a willingness to embrace humility. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain? Do we approach life with the humility and openness of a child? May we learn to follow God’s lead and to see the dignity and worth in every person, especially the most vulnerable among us.