Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 13, 2025
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 Esther presents us with a queen in crisis, pleading with God for help in a desperate situation. Esther, aware of her people’s suffering and the danger that looms over them, turns to the Lord with humility and urgency. Her prayer is not just a request for deliverance but also an act of faith, trusting that God, who has chosen Israel and remains faithful to his promises, will intervene in their time of need. Esther’s words remind us that even in the face of uncertainty and fear, we can turn to God, knowing that he is our only true helper.
The Gospel reading from Matthew complements this theme of trust in God. Jesus teaches us about the importance of persistent prayer and the certainty of God’s response. He uses the analogy of a father who would never give his child a stone when they ask for bread or a snake when they ask for a fish. If even sinful humans know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our heavenly Father, who is perfect and loving, give us what we need when we ask him. Jesus also ties this teaching to the Golden Rule, reminding us that our relationship with God is inseparable from our relationship with others. We are called to treat others with the same kindness and generosity that we hope to receive from God.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God and how we live out our faith in daily life. Like Esther, we may face challenges and uncertainties, but we are called to turn to God with the same humility and confidence. Like the father in the Gospel, we are reminded that God is always generous and faithful, even when we are not. As we navigate our own struggles and relationships, let us remember to pray with persistence and trust, and to treat others with the same love and kindness we desire from God. In doing so, we not only deepen our relationship with God but also become instruments of his love and mercy in the world.