Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 14, 2019
First Reading: Esther 14.1, 3-5, 12-14
Psalm 138
1I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.2I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.3In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.4All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.5Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.6Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.8The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Gospel: Matthew 7.7-12
7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so 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.