Daily Readings - Thu Oct 02 2025
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 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.