The wonderful thing about today’s readings for mass is that God is there, both in good times and bad. He is always there and He always cares for us in all the situations and seasons of our lives. Not a tear or a need goes unnoticed. He is a loving God, however, no one should ever presume God will love us without regard for how we live our lives.
Queen Esther begged God saying, “you, O Lord, always free those who are pleasing to you.” And that’s the thing during Lent, we are praying, fasting and giving alms in order to become more pleasing to God. God loves us, but love is a two way street. He doesn’t like to be the one that does all the giving.
Queen Esther’s story is one of the most beautiful stories in the bible and is so worth your time to read. That is why an entire book in the old testament is about her life. A lot of people think the bible is boring but that is far from the case and that is why movies were made about her life. In today’s reading Queen Esther is praying to God because she needed to speak up to the king, to defend the people of her heritage, who were Jewish. The penalty for doing this was death and she knew that no one could save her from certain death, except God.
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us that God answers prayer. God certainly did answer Queen Esther’s prayer and softened the king’s heart, causing his change of heart, which led to the defeat of the enemies of the Jewish people and the lives of her people were saved.
God will answer our prayers too, if we persevere in prayer and live lives that are pleasing to Him. That is what Jesus means in his last words in the gospel today on how to be pleasing to God: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”
Queen Esther’s Prayer
Esther C: 14-25, 14:4-9
“My Lord, our King, You alone are our God.
Please help me, for I am alone and I have no one else
but You to turn to; my life is in danger.
As a child I was always told by the people of the land
of my forefathers that You, O Lord, chose Israel
from among all peoples and designated our fathers
from among all their ancestors as a perpetual heritage,
and that all of Your promises to them were fulfilled.
Now, however, we have sinned in Your sight
by worshiping the gods of our enemies,
and You have delivered us into their hands
because You are just, O Lord …
Do not forget us, O Lord.
Be present to us in the time of our distress and grant me courage,
O King of gods and Ruler of every earthly power …
Save us by Your power, and come to my aid,
for I am alone and have no one but You on whom to depend, O Lord.”
Amen.
