Dear friends, today we will most likely be gathering at Holy Mass, continuing our Lenten journey, giving praise and glory to God. Again, this is a time to reflect, repent, and renew our relationship with Him. Our readings invite us into a profound exploration of faith, trust, and the call to put our faith into action.
In the first reading from the Book of Esther, we witness Queen Esther in a moment of deep anguish and distress. She is faced with an overwhelming situation, a dire threat to her people. We cannot explore the complete background to this story, but suffice it to say that in her solitude and desperation, she turns to God, embodying the essence of faithfulness and humility. Esther is not seeking personal glory or comfort. She is merely acting on behalf and for the good of her people, pleading for divine intervention. Her prayer is a raw expression of vulnerability, acknowledging her helplessness and reliance on God alone: “Help me, who am alone and have no help but you.”
I am sure that most of us can relate to this. How often do we find ourselves feeling alone or overwhelmed, facing adversities that seem insurmountable? And yet, Esther teaches us the importance of laying our burdens before the Lord, trusting in His providence to rescue, to deliver, and, most importantly, to transform our mourning into gladness.
As we turn to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus invites His disciples into a relationship of trust with God the Father. He assures them that when they ask, they will receive; when they seek, they will find; when they knock, the door will be opened. Here, Jesus confirms the generosity of our Heavenly Father, contrasting it with the earthly parents who, though flawed, still provide good gifts to their children.
What a comforting promise! In the midst of our Lenten journey—a time traditionally marked by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving—Jesus reminds us of the importance of approaching God with boldness and confidence. God desires a relationship with us, and in that relationship, He beckons us to ask, to seek, and to knock. Just as Esther approached the throne of the King on behalf of her people, we, too, are invited to pray not only for ourselves but for the world around us.
These readings are a summons—a call to action during this Lenten season. When Esther prayed for persuasive words before the king, she exemplified the need for courage in advocacy. In this time of Lent, how can we be advocates for others? How can we reach out to those who are lonely, suffering, or marginalized?
Today’s responsorial psalm echoes the theme of trust: “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.” Each verse invites us to reflect on moments in our own lives when we have called upon the Lord and felt His response. As we continue through this Lenten season, let us make it a practice to reflect on our prayers—reflect not only upon what we are asking for but also upon how we are asking it – with what attitude do we approach God? It should be one of humility.
As we journey together through Lent, may our prayers deepen like those of Esther. May our hearts open to the joy of seeking God more fervently. May we embrace the reality that God answers our calls, as our Lord assured us in the gospel, and may we be moved to act in kindness and love toward one another.
The Blessed Virgin Mary remains a model for us all in how we can better fulfill in our own lives this call to heroic virtue. She knows what it means to be merciful and charitable, as God would have us do each day, keeping Jesus’ crucified love as the impetus for all our love. Amen.
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