Dear friends, today the liturgy offers us readings from the Book of Esther and the Gospel of Matthew. There is a profound connection between...
Dear friends, today the liturgy offers us readings from the Book of Esther and the Gospel of Matthew. There is a profound connection between Queen Esther's desperate cry and the teachings of Jesus. Esther, facing the annihilation of her people, lies prostrate on the ground, crying out, "Help me, who am alone and have no help but you." She embodies the absolute reliance on God. Fast forward to the Gospel, and Jesus tells His disciples to ask, seek, and knock, assuring them that the Heavenly Father gives good things to those who ask. The similarity lies in the unwavering trust in God's goodness. While Esther prays out of mortal anguish, Jesus elevates this trust into a daily rhythm for every believer, combining it with the Golden Rule of treating others as we wish to be treated. The gist of today's readings is that our absolute dependence on God's provision must naturally flow into how we care for one another. We can frame this message with three words: Petition, Persistence, and People.
First, we look at Petition. Esther's prayer is raw and honest. She strips away her royal dignity and approaches God in total vulnerability. Jesus invites us to do the same. "Ask and it will be given to you." We are encouraged to bring our petitions to God, not because He is a cosmic vending machine, but because He is a loving Father. He wants us to recognize our dependence on Him. Whether our petition is a desperate plea for survival like Esther's, or a quiet need for daily strength, God desires to hear our voice.
Second, our petition requires Persistence. Jesus uses three action words: ask, seek, and knock. These are not passive activities; they require ongoing effort and determination. Sometimes, heaven seems silent. Sometimes, the door feels locked. But persistence in prayer is not about wearing God down; it is about expanding our own hearts to receive what He wants to give. It is through persistent seeking that our desires are purified and aligned with His divine will.
Finally, our prayer must redirect us toward People. Jesus concludes His teaching on prayer with the Golden Rule: "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you." Our relationship with God is inextricably linked to our relationship with our neighbors. If we petition God for mercy, we must show mercy to people. If we persist in asking for His goodness, we must be instruments of that goodness in the world. Let our prayers rise to heaven, and let our actions bring heaven down to earth. Amen.
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