February 26, 2015

Feb. 26

February 26, 2015:  Thursday, 1st week of Lent



  • 'Crown' tie bar:  Queen Esther (1st reading)
  • 'Lion' pin:  "turn the lion's heart" (1st reading)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  I'm taking my life in my hand; save us from our enemies' hand (1st reading); your right hand saves me; don't forsake the work of your hands (psalm)
  • 'Angel' pin:  In the sight of the angels I'll praise you (psalm)
  • 'Phone' tie bar:  When I called, you answered (psalm)
  • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  Pray:  ask, seek, knock (gospel)
  • 'Stone' tie pin:  Who'd hand his son a stone when he asked for bread...? (gospel) [oops, forgot 'wheat' pin for the bread]
  • 'Snake' tie pin:  ...or a snake... (gospel)
  • 'Fish' tie pin:  ...when he asked for a fish?  (gospel)
  • Purple in shirt, tie, and suspenders:  Lenten season
Listen
  • Est 4:12, 14-16, 23-25  Queen Esther, in anguish:  “God, help me, an orphan; I'm taking my life in my hand.  Give me persuasive words, and turn the lion's heart, so that he and his co-conspirators may perish. Save us from our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness.”
  • Ps 138:1-3, 7-8  "Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me."  I'll praise you in the angels' presence.  God will complete what he's done for me.
  • Mt 7:7-12  Ask, seek, and knock.  All who ask receive; all who seek find; to all who knock the door will be opened.  Your Father will give good things to all who ask!  Do to others what you'd have them do to you.
Reflect
    • Creighton:  How can this gospel be true if God doesn't really give us what we ask for?  It's childish to think God doesn't care for us when he doesn't give us something we ask for that's not good for us.  May we look to the Father for all our needs and trust him.
    • One Bread One Body:  "Forming an ask-force":  Jesus wants us to ask not because he won't give otherwise but because he wants us to communicate more.  Constantly ask, love, and live in Jesus.
    • Passionist:  Queen Esther asked for God's help, but we have a hard time asking when we see ourselves as self-sufficient; asking suggests weakness and makes us uncomfortable.   It can be easier to serve, help, give, and love than be served, be helped, receive, and let ourselves be loved.  May we acknowledge our weakness and need and humbly ask for God’s help. 
    • DailyScripture.net:  Esther's prayer is a model for us; she prayed for help according to God's promise of faithfulness.  God wants us to remember his promises and count on his help.
    "Prayer is an all-efficient panoply, a treasure, a mine never exhausted, a sky unobstructed, a haven unruffled by storm. It's the root, fountain, and mother of a blessings.  It exceeds a monarch's power...  I speak not of prayer that's cold, feeble, and devoid of zeal but rather of what proceeds from a mind outstretched, a contrite spirit, a converted soul.  Prayer has subdued fire's strength, bridled lions' rage, silenced anarchy, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst chains of death, enlarged the gates of heaven, relieved diseases, averted frauds, rescued cities, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested the thunderbolt.  Prayer can destroy whatever is at enmity with the good." (St. John Chrysostom)
    "Let me love you, my Lord and God, and see myself as I am:  a pilgrim, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and enemies.  Help me conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor.  Help me forget myself and reach out to others."  (attributed to Clement XI)
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