Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 2, 2024
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 presence of God in our lives and the call to humility. 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 helper but a divine presence who carries God’s authority and name. The reading reminds us that God’s guidance is always available, but it requires our trust and obedience. Disregarding this presence can lead to separation from God’s will, while listening and following it brings us into harmony with God’s plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility and childlike simplicity. He uses a child as an example of the kind of trust and openness we should have toward God. To “become like little children” means letting go of pride and self-reliance, embracing instead a posture of dependence on God. Jesus also emphasizes the dignity of every person, especially the vulnerable, by noting that even the smallest ones have Angels in heaven who watch over them. This reminds us that every life is precious and deserves respect and care.
These readings connect in their emphasis on trust and humility. Just as the Israelites were called to trust in God’s Angel, we too are called to trust in God’s presence in our lives. Like the child in the Gospel, we must approach God with simplicity and openness, recognizing our need for guidance and protection. In our daily lives, this means being attentive to the ways God speaks to us, whether through others, circumstances, or the quiet voice of our conscience. It also means treating everyone with kindness and respect, remembering that each person has inherent dignity and is loved by God. Let us strive to live with humility and trust, knowing that we are never alone on our journey, for God’s presence is always with us.