Daily Readings - Fri Oct 02 2020
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 two powerful themes: the guidance of God and the call to humility. The first reading from Exodus describes God’s promise to send an Angel to lead the Israelites on their journey, protecting them and guiding them to the Promised Land. This Angel is not just a passive guide but an active presence who demands to be heeded. Disregarding the Angel’s voice is not just a mistake—it carries serious consequences. This passage reminds us that God’s presence is both gracious and demanding, requiring us to listen and obey.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the humility required to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus uses the image of a little child to teach the disciples about the kind of heart needed to follow Him. Children, in their simplicity and dependence, model the humility and trust that God desires from us. Jesus also warns against despising the “little ones,” emphasizing that even the smallest among us are precious in God’s eyes. Each of us has an Angel who watches over us and intercedes for us, a reminder of our dignity and the care of our heavenly Father.
These readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. Like the Israelites, we are called to trust in God’s guidance, even when the path is uncertain. Like the little children, we are called to approach life with humility, recognizing our dependence on God and our need for His grace. Let us ask ourselves: Do we listen to the voice of God in our lives? Do we treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve as children of God? May we learn to trust in God’s plan and to live with the humility and simplicity of heart that Jesus teaches.