Scripture:
Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Matthew 7:7-12
Reflection:
Asking for directions?
Sometimes we find it hard in our lives to ask for help from others. Whether it be asking for directions, guidance or assistance, our selfish pride can sometimes get in the way from asking others for what we need. But, we are true fools if we think we do not need help in this life. From the moment that we can speak we ask questions and by asking these questions we begin to learn and to grow. In the same way, we are foolish to think that we should not continuously seek God’s help and guidance. These readings today show us that we should and could ask God for help.
In the first reading, Queen Esther asked for help during her time of great anguish and she showed her faith that she would be delivered from the hands of her enemy by God, and put her faith solely in him. Like Esther, we should come to our knees and ask for what we needs. That we are not above anyone else, we are equally human and are in need of divine assistance.
Do we take that time daily to ask for help, to ask for guidance?
In the psalm, we see the Lord has answered the prayers of the psalmist and they are praising Him. At all times we are to give joy unto the Lord, in good times and in bad. We see that possibly what the psalmist has asked for has not been completely given because he says that the "Lord will complete what he has done for me." And again we see that great faith, that the Lord will return and help the psalmist once again.
Do we take the time to praise God for the wonderful things that happen in our lives and to ask for grace to suffer through the hard times?
And finally, the Gospel reminds us that all we have to do is ask for His help. As Christians we are called to have an active faith life. To always ask, seek, knock, not to be dormant but to be alive in Christ. And for those who do those things this Gospel reminds us that God gives good things to those who ask Him.
In what ways do we ask, seek, and knock? Is our faith life a constant movement or has it become stagnant?
So as we can see, the readings today are not just about asking and receiving, they are about faith–the constant need to have faith and strength for our God, in every step that we take and every prayer that we make. We have faith that God is here to answer our prayers and tend to our needs. All we have to do is ask.
During this time of Lent, we have the opportunity to take stock of our faith life and to call out to God in the desert. Are we asking, seeking and knocking? Let us take this time do those things and be open to what goodness He will bring.
"Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me." Psalm 138:3a
Kim Garcia is the Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center, Houston, Texas.