Daily Readings - Thu Mar 14 2019
Esther
1Queen Esther also, fearing the danger that was imminent, fled to the Lord3And she begged the Lord God of Israel, saying, "My Lord, who alone is our King, help me, a solitary woman, for there is no other helper but you4My peril is close at hand5I have heard from my father that you, Lord, chose Israel from among all nations and our fathers from among all their former ancestors, to possess them as an everlasting inheritance, and you have done for them just as you said12Be mindful, Lord, and show yourself to us in the time of our tribulation, and give me faith, Lord, King of gods and of every power13Grant fitting words to my mouth in the sight of the lion, and transform his heart to hate our enemy, so that both he, and the others who conspire with him, may perish14But free us by your hand, and help me, who has no other helper but you, Lord, who holds the knowledge of all things
Matthew
7Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you8For everyone who asks, receives; and whoever seeks, finds; and to anyone who knocks, it will be opened9Or what man is there among you, who, if his son were to ask him for bread, would offer him a stone10or if he were to ask him for a fish, would offer him a snake11Therefore, if you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your sons, how much more will your Father, who is in heaven, give good things to those who ask him12Therefore, all things whatsoever that you wish that men would do to you, do so also to them. For this is the law and the prophets
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful expressions of faith and trust in God’s providence. The first reading from the Book of Esther presents us with a queen in a moment of crisis. Esther, though royalty, finds herself in a perilous situation, and her only recourse is to turn to the Lord. Her prayer is one of raw honesty and deep trust, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and imploring His intervention. Esther’s story reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming danger, God remains our ultimate refuge and helper.
The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this theme of trust with Jesus’ teaching on prayer. He assures us that God, our heavenly Father, is ever-willing to give good gifts to those who ask. Just as a loving parent would never withhold what is best for their child, God will not fail to respond to our needs. Jesus emphasizes persistence in prayer and the certainty of God’s response, encouraging us to approach Him with confidence. The golden rule, “Do to others what you would have them do to you,” ties this teaching together, reminding us that our relationship with God is inseparable from our relationships with others.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God and how it shapes our lives. Like Esther, we may face moments of uncertainty or danger, but her example teaches us to turn to prayer with boldness and humility. Similarly, Jesus’ words remind us that our Heavenly Father is always near, ready to provide for us. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, let us approach God with the same faith Esther showed, knowing that He is our ever-present help. At the same time, may we mirror God’s generosity by treating others with the same kindness and compassion we seek from Him. In doing so, we not only deepen our trust in God but also become instruments of His love in the world.