GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 9TH MARCH 2017
THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT
FIRST READING: Esther C:12,14-16,23-25
PSALM: Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8
GOSPEL: Matthew 7:7-12
THEME: ESTHER – A WOMAN OF FAITH
Yesterday, in celebrating “Women’s Day”, many of us called to mind the immense virtues we see in women of valour. There are many women who have become pillars of reference in the common quest of humanity to reconstruct a world that offers equal opportunities for all. These women inspire us to attain the heights we aspire. Within Judeo-Christian tradition, Esther stands out as a model in this regard.
King Ahasuerus of Persia had singled out a man called Haman for promotion. He raised him in rank, granting him precedence over all his colleagues. The other officers-of-state and all the royal officials employed at the Chancellery would bow low and prostrate themselves in the presence of Haman. Mordecai, a Jew, refused either to bow or to prostrate himself. Haman became so angry that he decided to hang him and then eliminate every Jew in the kingdom. Consequently, he persuaded King Ahasuerus, who was unaware that his own wife Esther was a Jew, to issue a decree ordering the destruction of Jews and the confiscation of their property.
Mordecai contacted Esther and asked her to intervene by interceding with the King on behalf of the Jews. Faced with such a huge problem – a planned extermination of all Jews – Esther instructed her cousin, Mordecai, to mobilize all the Jews of the city to fast and pray. She also did the same and resolved that she would go to the king, knowing very well that to enter the king’s presence without his explicit invitation meant possible execution. The faith of Esther, however, brought victory. She entered the presence of the king and won favour for herself and the Jews.
The virtue of courage glitters in the story of Esther. She also teaches us the value of fasting and prayer. In our Gospel text for today, Jesus tells us, “Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Mt. 7:7). When we have fasted and prayed, let us go all out and face every difficult situation with courage, knowing that God is on our side.
PRAYER: Eternal Father, implant in me the virtue of courage and make me as daring as Esther. May my trust in you never crumble and may I continually find favour in your presence. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen)