Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2021
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
The first reading from Exodus reminds us of God’s promise to send an angel to guide and protect His people on their journey to the Promised Land. This angel is not just a guardian but also a manifestation of God’s presence, carrying His authority. The reading warns that disregarding this divine guidance will have consequences, but obedience will bring victory over enemies. The context is rooted in the Israelites’ wilderness journey, where God is teaching them to trust Him and follow His commands as they prepare to enter the land He has prepared for them.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the humility and innocence of little children. Jesus uses a child as an example of the attitude required to enter the kingdom of heaven. He emphasizes that greatness in God’s eyes is not about power or status but about humility and a willingness to be like a child. Jesus also warns against despising or neglecting the least among us, noting that even the smallest ones have angels in heaven who see the face of God. This teaching challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and treat everyone with dignity, recognizing that each person is loved and protected by God.
Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and humility. The Exodus reading calls us to trust in God’s guidance, just as the Israelites were to follow the angel. The Gospel reminds us that true greatness comes from humility and a childlike trust in God. In our daily lives, we are called to approach challenges with faith, knowing that God is with us, and to treat others with the same love and respect we would give to Christ Himself. Let us strive to live with humility, trusting in God’s plan and recognizing the inherent dignity of every person as a beloved child of God.