The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021816.cfm)
reminds me that God will give us what we ask for, as long as it will be
good for us and according to his great plans for us.
The first reading shows us a
child of God coming to Him in prayer. Queen Esther comes to God with her
petitions and opens up herself to God. She is desperate, and putting her faith
on God. And we see in the gospel what God’s response to such prayers is.
Ask. Seek.
Knock.
God
knows what we ask of Him even before we actually ask. However, that does not
mean he will give everything we ask of him. Our parents love us, but would not
give us what we ask if they know what we ask will be bad for us. More so with
God. God also knows what will be good for us, so he will only give us what is best for us,
he will give us only what is according to his perfect plan. This
is why it is important to stay close to God, so we would know what he wants
from us, and be sensitive enough to his voice, and let humble ourselves and
submit ourselves to his will.
God is giving. He will always
give us what we ask for, sometimes more than we ask for... As long as these
things are in accordance to what he wants for us. To what his plans for us are.
So as we ask, seek and knock, we should not just have faith, but humility as
well.
May we learn to ask according
to the will of God, and be assured of his love for and protection to us.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for reminding me how much
you love me and how much you care for me. Lord, I thank you for my earthly
parents. They may not be perfect, but you gave them to me to be ambassadors of
your love to me. Help me show how much I love and appreciate them. I pray for
those who are orphans or those who do not have parents that make them feel your
love. I pray that you send them people that would keep your love alive in their
lives. Lord, I also ask that you mold my heart. May I always be sensitive to
your will, and always submit myself to your will, having the assurance that you
have the best for me. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflections:
Thursday of the First Week in Lent
Lectionary: 227
Reading 1 Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish,
had recourse to the LORD.
She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids,
from morning until evening, and said:
“God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you.
Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,
for I am taking my life in my hand.
As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers
that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.
Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you,
O LORD, my God.
“And now, come to help me, an orphan.
Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion
and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy,
so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.
Save us from the hand of our enemies;
turn our mourning into gladness
and our sorrows into wholeness.”
had recourse to the LORD.
She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids,
from morning until evening, and said:
“God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you.
Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,
for I am taking my life in my hand.
As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers
that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.
Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you,
O LORD, my God.
“And now, come to help me, an orphan.
Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion
and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy,
so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.
Save us from the hand of our enemies;
turn our mourning into gladness
and our sorrows into wholeness.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
R. (3a) Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
A clean heart create for me, God;
give me back the joy of your salvation.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Verse Before the Gospel Ps 51:12a, 14a
give me back the joy of your salvation.
Gospel Mt 7:7-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”
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