Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2023
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 readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of guidance, humility, and the presence of God in our lives. In the first reading from Exodus, God promises to send an Angel to guide and protect the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. This Angel is not just a passive guide but an active presence who demands obedience and Orients the people toward the fulfillment of God's plan. The context of this passage is crucial—it comes as the Israelites are preparing to enter the land God has prepared for them, emphasizing trust in divine providence and the importance of heeding God's voice.
In the Gospel, Matthew presents a different yet complementary perspective. Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility and becoming like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. He emphasizes that true greatness in God's eyes is found in humility and simplicity. The mention of Angels in this passage underscores the dignity and worth of every person, especially the vulnerable, and reminds us that our actions toward others have spiritual significance. The context here is a moment of instruction for the disciples, who were arguing about who was the greatest, and Jesus uses the image of a child to challenge their understanding of power and status.
These readings are connected by the theme of guidance and the call to trust in God's plan. In Exodus, the Angel represents God's active presence guiding his people. In Matthew, the child represents the humility and openness needed to receive God's kingdom. Together, they remind us that our journey of faith requires both trust in God's guidance and a willingness to embrace humility and simplicity. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask for the grace to be guided by God's voice, to approach life with the humility of a child, and to treat others with the dignity and compassion that reflects our shared worth in God's eyes. May we remember that we are never alone on our journey, for God's presence and care are always with us.