Next week, at sundown on March 20, our Jewish friends and neighbors will observe Purim, a feast of celebration that centers around the story of Esther, the Old Testament Book that gives us our first reading today.
I must confess, I did not know much about Esther or Purim until I took some time to read the book (it is not very long) and learn the story of the beautiful Jewish heroine who used her position in the royal court of the King to save the Jews who had been targeted for slaughter.
Through her prayer for strength and wisdom, along with the support of her uncle and adopted father Mordecai, Esther intervenes and turns what would have been a tragic day of sorrow into one of joy – a day to be remembered forever with this annual holiday.
Here we are as Christians in the Holy Season of Lent, praying and fasting for something very similar. We spend time reflecting on the many things we do, the sins we commit, that are leading us to our own tragic day of sorrow … hoping that God will intervene in our lives and turn that sorrow into joy through his forgiveness.
The Book of Esther is worth the read. Although there is evidence that the original book and story was modified and enhanced over time to its present form in the Bible, it still tells the story of a plot by one of the King’s trusted advisors – the evil Haman – who is upset that a good and faithful Jewish man, Mordecai, has refused to bow before him in worship. His excuse? As a Jew, he worships God, not a man.
Because of this snub, Haman convinces the king that all the Jews of the land must be considered rebellious and dangerous and should be put to death. Without giving much thought, according to the book, the King permits Haman to plan for what would be a single day of death for every Jew in the Persian Empire.
It is worth reading closely the letter that is included in Chapter B (under Chapter 3) that spells out the decree or justification for this mass murder of the Jews. When I read this, I could not help but think about other classes of people who have been singled out by the authorities – whether they were of one religion or one culture – from Persia to Nazi Germany, Rwanda to Bosnia to Darfur.
You decide if this letter might also be reflective of others in our world today …
(Excerpt from the decree)
“… Haman, who excels among us in wisdom, who is outstanding for constant devotion and steadfast loyalty, and who has gained the second rank in the kingdom, (has) brought it to our attention that, mixed in with all the races throughout the world, there is one people of bad will, which by its laws is opposed to every other people and continually disregards the decrees of kings, so that the unity of empire blamelessly designed by us cannot be established.”
Any phrases strike a chord to you? “one people of bad will … (with) laws opposed to every other people” … “constantly disregards the decrees of kings.”
Here is more from that letter.
“… this most singular people is continually at variance with all men, lives by divergent and alien laws, is inimical to our interests, and commits the worst crimes so that stability of government cannot be obtained …”
This decree is not concerned with justice, but with “stability of government.” In order to preserve that, it calls for every Jew, including the wives and children, to be “utterly destroyed by the swords of their enemies.”
In our society today, perhaps we can think of other examples of “singular people” whose beliefs, actions, attire and counter-cultural philosophies are quite contrary to the laws of man that are in place today.
Esther took great risk to reveal her heritage to the king and beg mercy for her people. Back at that time, those who simply presented themselves to the king without an invitation were subject to instant death. But she tried, anyway, after a short period of fasting and asking God to “put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion.”
It worked … the King reversed his order and the bad-guy Haman was put to death (along with his whole family). The Jewish people, meanwhile, were spared, thanks to Esther.
In our Gospel today, Jesus reminds us that we should all follow the path chosen by Esther, who showed great faith and courage.
Jesus says: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Esther knocked and God answered.
Later in the book, Mordecai gives voice and credit to the true reason the Jews were saved that day: The Lord saved his people and delivered us from all these evils. God worked signs and great wonders, such as have not occurred among the nations.
During this Lenten season, we are called to deeper prayer … for ourselves, but also for the world.
We should pray for the courage of Esther and the wisdom of God so that we can confront the evils of our day – whether they come from outside forces or from within our own hearts.
