March 5th (2.26.15), Thursday, First Week of Lent

Esther C: 12, 14-16, 23-25, Psalm 138: 1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8, Matthew 7: 7-12
Today’s three readings challenge me to think about my relationship with God. From each of the three people whose words we hear – Esther, David and Jesus – we can acquire some lessons on how to maintain and enrich our connection with God.

Esther is alone and in distress. We find her pleading to God to manifest himself. I wonder how often I look for God during those challenging times I experience and ask God to be with me. While I am waiting to see what God’s plan is during difficult moments, I am not always patient. What is needed is the courage Esther begs for as she anticipates God’s help. I learn from Esther that I must trust in God more and be patient.

David’s psalm is filled with joyful praise for the Lord. It is obvious that the Lord has answered David’s call to him in some way and David’s spirit is strengthened. The psalm is a beautiful thank you note to God. I wonder how often I am filled with such joy and gratitude when God answers my prayers. Do I acknowledge that God’s hand is always outstretched and that his love will endure forever? I learn from David that I must be more grateful and aware of God working in my life.

In Matthew’s gospel Jesus imparts some advice to the people by using several useful verbs – ask, seek and knock. I see these words as steps toward a deeper relationship with God. It is easy to ask God for something. It is an attempt to communicate, but it is so passive. Seeking means I need to make a greater effort to know God. Knocking and having the door open is what I must do more often. To me it means enjoying a more active communication with God. I learn from these three words to let God in and permeate my life to a greater degree.

I am comforted by the words of Esther, David and Jesus and the opportunity their words gave me to examine how I relate to God. Courage, gratitude and awareness will allow me to further strengthen my relationship with God.

Margaret Novotny, wife, mother of two sons, teacher