Daily Readings for February 26, 2015

1ST READING

Esther realizes she is the last hope of her people. She is the only one who can intercede on behalf of the Israelites before the king. She is the queen but the king does not tolerate people who plead with him. However, Esther dares to do this out of love for God, her faith and her people. We need her belief and courage to be successful disciples of Jesus. Are we willing to bring our concerns into God’s throne room, or do we not have enough belief in ourselves?

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25

28[C:12] Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord. 30[C:14] 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, 31[C:15] for I am taking my life in my hand. 32[C:16] As a child I used to hear from the books my forefathers that you, O Lord, always free those who are pleasing to you. 39[C:23] Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord, my God. And now, come to help me, an orphan. 40[C:24] 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. 41[C:25] Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.”

P S A L M

Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 7-8

R: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

1 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; 2 I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. (R) Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 7 Your right hand saves me. 8 The Lord will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O Lord, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. (R)

GOSPEL

Aside from confidence in God’s love for us, we also need strength to persevere in what we believe so that we are not discouraged by the obstacles that confront us as we follow God’s will. Confidence and perseverance are essential characteristics of any saint’s life. Let us pray that we may join their ranks as we live out our calling.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A clean heart create for me, God; give me back the joy of your salvation.

Matthew 7:7-12

7 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. 8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, 10 or a snake when he asks for a fish? 11 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. 12 “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

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