Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2020
First Reading: Exodus 23.20-23a
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.
Psalm 91
1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.2I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."3Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.4He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.5You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,6nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.7A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.8You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.9If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the LORD, who is my refuge-10then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.11For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;12they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.13You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.14"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.15He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.16With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Gospel: Matthew 18.1-5, 10
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.