Daily Readings - Thu Mar 14 2019
Matthew
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up 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.