Daily Readings - Wed Oct 02 2019
Exodus
20"See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.21Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him.22If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.23My angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out.
Matthew
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"2He called a little child and had him stand among them.3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.10"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of guidance, humility, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from Exodus describes God's promise to send an angel to lead the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. This angel is not just a guide but also a protector, bearing God's name and authority. The reading emphasizes the importance of heeding this divine guidance, for it is through obedience that the Israelites will overcome their enemies and reach the land prepared for them. The context is one of trust and reliance on God's providence, even in the face of uncertainty and challenge.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the humility required to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus uses the example of a little child to illustrate the kind of simplicity and trust that should characterize our relationship with God. The disciples, caught up in their own ambitions and debates about greatness, are reminded that true greatness lies in humility and service. Jesus further emphasizes the dignity of the vulnerable, noting that even the "little ones" have angels in heaven who watch over them. This teaching challenges us to approach life with a childlike openness and to treat all people, especially the vulnerable, with reverence and care.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and with others. Like the Israelites, we are called to trust in God's guidance, even when the path ahead is unclear. Like the disciples, we are challenged to let go of our pride and ambition, embracing instead the humility and simplicity of a child. In our daily lives, this might mean listening more carefully to the "angels" God places in our lives—whether through Scripture, prayer, or the wisdom of others—and treating every person with the dignity they deserve as children of God. May we strive to live with the faith of a child and the courage to follow where God leads.