1st THURSDAY IN LENT - Gospel (Matthew 7:7-12) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
FIRST READING - Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25
"Help me, who am alone and have no help but you."
A reading from the Book of Esther
12 Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, fled to the Lord for refuge.
14 Then she prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, saying: “My Lord, you alone are our King. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, 15 for I am taking my life in my hand. 16 From birth, I have heard among my people that you, Lord, chose Israel from among all nations, and our ancestors from among all their forebears, as a lasting inheritance, and that you fulfilled all your promises to them. 23 Be mindful of us, Lord. Make yourself known in the time of our distress and give me courage, King of gods and Ruler of every power. 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 his co-conspirators may perish. 25 Save us by your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but you, Lord.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 7:7-12
"For everyone who asks, receives."
✠From the Gospel according to Matthew
7 “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,[a] 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 [b]“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.
1st THURSDAY IN LENT - Gospel (Matthew 7:7-12)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear people of God,
Today's Word of God informs humanity that God is a loving Father; He is the Almighty and the All-Perfect One.
In this world, no one possesses strength and power like Him, and no one loves humanity as much as He does.
Before humans ask, think, or do anything, He has already perceived it in their heart.
Although people have not yet spoken, He clearly knows their thoughts—what they wish to ask of Him and what they need.
Today's Word of God instructs humanity that when humans pray to God, they should trust and entrust themselves to Him, firmly believing that He will grant it upon a truly sincere, fervent prayer and loyalty to God.
He gives an example: even an evil person knows how to give good things to their children, how much more, then, is He who is the loving Father, the One who perceives all the urgent needs of each individual and always tenderly cares for His children in all places, at all times, and in all circumstances.
Today's Word of God, which God instructs to strengthen human faith, is that when petitioning God for anything, believe that He will grant it, for His power and authority are supreme, beyond human understanding of His works or His reception of prayers.
God loves humanity, especially His close disciples, and thus He instructs them: ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and He shall open the door.
God bestow upon humanity in His own way; the duty of human beings towards God is to believe, trust, and remain faithfully and closely united with God at all times and in all places, worshipping and fearing Him alone as the Almighty, All-perfect, and absolutely Peerless One.
Let God's will be done rather than human will, for human will is often influenced by Satan; thus, humans must remain in close union with God to discern the will of the One they love.
Today's Word of God also instructs humans that while living in this world, humans must practice mutual affection and love for their fellow beings; they must possess love and charity, knowing how to share, give, and maintain close bonds with their brothers and sisters.
Since every individual has weaknesses and shortcomings, and all are sinners, God provides neighbors to accompany, cooperate with, and assist one another.
He instructs that whatever you wish others to do for you, first do for them: know how to give, live lovingly, and treat others with charity; do not live selfishly, or in hatred and jealousy; do not live in division or pride, and do not seek to dominate others.
In summary, today's Word of God teaches humans two lessons:
First: when praying, believe and trust that God will answer your prayer, provided the prayer is offered with sincerity, simplicity, and absolute loyalty to God.
Second: one must possess charity and a loving bond with others.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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