First reading Job 38:1,12-21,40:3-5
The immeasurable greatness of God
From the heart of the tempest the Lord gave Job his answer. He said:
Have you ever in your life given orders to the morning
or sent the dawn to its post,
telling it to grasp the earth by its edges
and shake the wicked out of it,
when it changes the earth to sealing clay
and dyes it as a man dyes clothes;
stealing the light from wicked men
and breaking the arm raised to strike?
Have you journeyed all the way to the sources of the sea,
or walked where the Abyss is deepest?
Have you been shown the gates of Death
or met the janitors of Shadowland?
Have you an inkling of the extent of the earth?
Tell me all about it if you have!
Which is the way to the home of the light,
and where does darkness live?
You could then show them the way to their proper places,
or put them on the path to where they live!
If you know all this, you must have been born with them,
you must be very old by now!
Job replied to the Lord:
My words have been frivolous: what can I reply?
I had better lay my finger on my lips.
I have spoken once… I will not speak again;
more than once… I will add nothing.
Responsorial Psalm 138(139):1-3,7-10,13-14
Lead me, O Lord, in the path of life eternal.
O Lord, you search me and you know me,
you know my resting and my rising,
you discern my purpose from afar.
You mark when I walk or lie down,
all my ways lie open to you.
O where can I go from your spirit,
or where can I flee from your face?
If I climb the heavens, you are there.
If I lie in the grave, you are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn
and dwell at the sea’s furthest end,
even there your hand would lead me,
your right hand would hold me fast.
For it was you who created my being,
knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I thank you for the wonder of my being,
for the wonders of all your creation.
Gospel Matthew 18:1-5,10
Anyone who welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me
The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.’
God’s Presence With Us
In the first reading from the book of Exodus, God says, “I myself will send an angel before you to guard you as you go and to bring you to the place that I have prepared…” The angel is God’s active presence among His people as they wander through the uncertain wilderness. God is their hope, as He goes before His people, protects them and prepares a place for them. We often face uncertain paths and may not know where the journey will lead, but God does not abandon us. He guides us through His Word, prayer and the care of people He places in our lives. Even when the way ahead is unclear, we can trust that God walks with us.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the “angels” of the “little ones,” reminding us that every person, especially the weak and vulnerable, is precious in God’s sight. He continues to send “angels”, working through people like caregivers, parents, friends, and even strangers to guide and help us in times of need.
Reflective questions:
How have I experienced God’s care through others, and how can I be an instrument of His presence to someone today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
