Reading 1
Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish,
had recourse to the LORD.
She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids,
from morning until evening, and said:
“God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you.
Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,
for I am taking my life in my hand.
As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers
that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.
Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you,
O LORD, my God.
“And now, come to help me, an orphan.
Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion
and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy,
so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.
Save us from the hand of our enemies;
turn our mourning into gladness
and our sorrows into wholeness.”
Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
Responsorial PsalmR. (3a)
Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Gospel
Mt 7:7-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”
Meditation: Esther C:12,14-16, 23-25
“Manifest yourself in the time of our distress and give me courage.” (Esther C:23)
Queen Esther is a wonderful example of someone who heeded today’s Gospel message about asking, seeking, and knocking with confidence in God (Matthew 7:7-8). Esther’s enemy, Haman, has persuaded her husband the king to undertake a merciless pogrom of all the Jews in his realm. Hearing the news, Esther decides to plead for her people’s survival&mash;but she knows it’s a risky endeavor. So today’s passage gives us part of her prayer before she dares approach the king.
In her prayer, Esther expresses her certainty that God is in charge. All power derives from him, and he determines the ultimate outcome. She remembers how God has acted throughout Israel’s history, fulfilling his promises, blessing and protecting his people. She begs him to show himself again in this crisis.
Yet Esther knows she must do more than pray. She is in a unique position to do something as well. So Esther asks God for the courage she needs to do the right thing. She asks him to inspire her words. And she begs him to change the king’s heart so that he will not fulfill his intentions.
As the story unfolds, Esther does approach the king, the king changes his mind, Haman gets his due, and Esther is praised for her courage, her faith, and her trust. It’s the ultimate feel-good ending!
God is just as available to us, and he wants us to come to him both in times of stress and in our everyday challenges. He wants us to know that he loves us and that he is in charge. He wants us to trust that all things work for good for those who love him and believe in him. So let Esther’s prayer encourage you. Let her surrender to God inspire you to place your needs in his hands as well. Today in prayer, recall all that God has done for you in the past. Then boldly ask him to show himself in your current situation. Tell him that you will take the steps you need to so that his blessings can flow for you and your loved ones.
“Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for bringing me to this moment. I lay before you all my concerns, and I ask for your help.”
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