Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday, 1st Week of Lent, February 25th, 2021
Texts: Esther 14:1.3-4.11.13-14; Ps. 138:1-3.7-8; Mt. 7:7-12
Lenten season is a season of prayer; it is time of devotion to prayer. We are to pray and pray well. Today's first reading teaches us that prayer is a means of seeking refuge in the Lord; it is through prayer that we find help from God. By prayer we cast our worries to the Lord, and He gives us rest. In the reading, Queen Esther was weighed down by deadly anxiety and she fled to the Lord for help. She prayed God to turn things into her favour. This reminds us to always run to the Lord for help; He is always there to help. Prayer can turn things in our favour. The story of Queen Esther reminds us that one who prays lives above the law. He who prays to God, we will never become prey to enemies.
Today's gospel reading reminds us that God always gives attention to our prayers. In the gospel reading, Jesus Christ invites us to ask that we might receive; to seek, that we might find; to knock, that the door might be open to us. He puts it thus: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Jesus tells us that God answers prayer and that He gives us good because He is good. God will always give us what is good because He is good. Jesus also shows that God's goodness surpasses that of man; He is source of good Himself. Jesus calls us to trust in whatever God gives us. He will never give us what is not good; because He is good, He always gives good things.
Today's psalm reminds us to always thanks God for answering our prayer. The psalmist says, "I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I praise you. I bow down toward your holy temple." Let us always thank God for answering our prayers. When we learn how to thank Him for answering our prayer, we will be open to receive more.
Lord our God, help us to trust that You always give us what is good. Amen.
FR. Andrew Olowomuke
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