Daily Readings - Thu Mar 02 2023
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 narratives that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Esther presents a moment of crisis where Esther, a Jewish queen, turns to God in desperation. Facing the threat of persecution, she prays fervently, seeking courage and the right words to persuade King Ahasuerus to save her people. Her prayer is a testament to trust in divine providence, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The Gospel from Matthew continues this theme of trust and prayer. Jesus teaches us to ask, seek, and knock with persistence, assuring us that our Heavenly Father, unlike earthly fathers, will always provide good gifts. He concludes with the golden rule, urging us to treat others as we wish to be treated. This teaching emphasizes a life of prayer and ethical living, reflecting God’s love and justice.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on prayer and trust in a loving God. Esther’s prayer exemplifies the kind of faithful petition Jesus describes. Her story and Jesus’ teachings remind us to approach life’s challenges with prayerful hearts and to live out the golden rule in our daily interactions. May we, like Esther, trust in God’s providence and, as Jesus taught, strive to love and serve others as we would have them do unto us.