Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 02-26-15
USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 02-26-15 | Revised New American Bible

Posted on 02/25/2015 8:08:50 PM PST by Salvation

February 26, 2015

Thursday of the First Week in Lent

 

 

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.”

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.

Verse Before the Gospel Ps 51:12a, 14a

A clean heart create for me, O God;
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.”



TOPICS: Catholic; General Discusssion; Prayer; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; lent; mt7; prayer
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-42 last
To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 2

<< Thursday, February 26, 2015 >>
 
Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
View Readings
Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8 Matthew 7:7-12
Similar Reflections
 

FORMING AN ASK-FORCE

 
"Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. For the one who asks, receives." —Matthew 7:7-8
 

Some ingenuous Bible preachers and teachers have tried to expound on the differences between asking, seeking, and knocking. However, all three commands probably mean the same thing. Jesus is simply and repeatedly commanding us to ask, ask, and ask. Are we getting the message? If so, then why does Jesus keep repeating Himself?

Most of us ask God for a thing or two. Yet it may be that He wants us to ask Him for hundreds or thousands of things. Jesus told His apostles: "Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full" (Jn 16:24). The writer of the book of James bluntly stated: "You do not obtain because you do not ask" (Jas 4:2).

Jesus wants us to ask more — not because He won't give without our asking, but because He wants us to communicate with Him more. He calls us to abide in Him (see Jn 15:5, 7), to live in His presence. He does not call us to ask out of selfishness but out of love (Jas 4:3). He wants us to share every detail of our lives with Him. He wants to be our Life (see Phil 1:21; Gal 2:20).

Constantly asking Him means constantly loving Him and living in Him. Ask Love (1 Jn 4:16). Ask Life (Jn 14:6; Jn 11:25). Ask Jesus.

 
Prayer: Father, this Lent teach me to ask as Your child.
Promise: "Save us by Your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O Lord. You know all things." —Est C:25
Praise: Jesus delivered Rob from the desire to smoke.

41 posted on 02/26/2015 8:06:14 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: All

42 posted on 02/26/2015 8:07:27 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-42 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson