THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Thursday of the first week of Lent, 2023

Esth 14:1.3-4.11.13-14

Ps 138

Matt 7:7-12

Ask, and you shall receive

Dear friends in Christ, prayer is one of the pillars of the season of Lent and today the Lord continues his teaching on prayer. If we pray like Jesus, and the way Jesus has taught us to, with a good conscience with God, is it possible not to get answers to our prayers? Will God refuse us the good things we need for our existence and survival? Could it be the case that when we fail to get what we ask, it is because we did not ask rightly, or have not shown why we should have what we ask?

Our first reading today is from the Book of Esther (14:1.3-4.11.13-14). The book itself was written to console and encourage the Jews who lived in the diaspora—those who had left Palestine and settled in other countries who had had to bear ridicule and persecution from their non-Jewish neighbours, as a reminder that God would never abandon his people and that God chooses human instruments—in this case a woman—to help in a moment of distress.

The story of the book was that, Mordecai a leading Jew in Susa, who held a prominent position in the king’s court had saved the life of the king by revealing an assassination plot. But another man Haman, who enjoyed the king’s favour was not happy with Mordecai and therefore planned to hurt him and his people for the death of the plotters. He,, therefore deceived the king into signing an edict that will exterminate the Jews. Mordecai appealed to Queen Esther, to intercede with the king, but the law does not permit her to appear before the king unless called, or she will be put to death. Esther took her life in her hands, fasted, and asked all Jews in the kingdom to fast. The prayer of Esther is our reading today. God answered her prayer and the Jews were saved. Haman was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Always treat others the way you want to be treated. Prayer changes things, never cease to pray, even when the situation seems irredeemable. Nothing is impossible with God.

The gospel of today, from Matthew 7:7-12, is a popular quote, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you…” This must be taken as a single command. The one who asks, must also seek and must knock. When you ask God to show you the direction, you must be willing to move and find the location and when you get there, knock, God will then open for you to enter. The story of Abraham followed the same pattern. Someone who is looking for a job is not expected to remain at prayer all day, without going out to do the fieldwork and then putting in his best at the interview. Someone who is sick, must find his way to the hospital and subject herself to a medical examination. Prayer is important but it must go with work, to make it effective. Queen Esther prayed and fasted, but she also approached the king, without fear and got her request. We must trust in God but pray and work.

Word for today: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you…” (Matt 7:7)

Let us pray: Lord you have asked us to Ask, Seek and Knock, open unto us as we ask for your mercy. Amen. 

+Remain  blessed