THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 7:7-12) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” (Mt 7:12)

FIRST READING - C:12, 14-16, 23-25

A reading from the Book of Esther

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."

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 7:7-12

From the Gospel according to Matthew

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."

THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 7:7-12)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today's Word of God lets humankind know that God is a loving Father; He is almighty and perfect. In this world, no one has the strength and power like Him, and no one loves mankind as much as He does. Before people ask, think, or do anything, He already knows what is in our hearts. Even though we have not yet spoken, He knows clearly what we want to ask Him for and what we need.

Today's Word of God teaches us that when we pray to God, we should trust in Him, rely on Him, and believe that He will grant our requests through sincere, earnest, and faithful prayer to Him.

He gives an example: even a wicked person still knows how to give good gifts to his children. How much more will the loving Father, who understands the urgent needs of each person, and always takes care of His children lovingly in all places, at all times, and at every moment?

Today's Word of God, God teaches humanity that in order to strengthen our faith, when asking God for something, we should simply believe that He will grant it. His power and authority are so great that we cannot fully comprehend what God does for us. We cannot understand how He answers our prayers.

God loves His people, especially His faithful disciples, so He teaches: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.”

God gives to humanity in His way, and our job toward God is to believe, trust, and faithfully remain intimately united with Him in all places and at all times.

We must worship and fear God alone, for He is almighty, perfect, and absolutely incomparable.

May God's will be done, not our will. Because God knows that our will is often influenced by Satan’s will. As a result, we must unite closely with God in order to understand the will of the One we love.

Today's Word of God also teaches humanity that while living in this world, we must have mutual affection and love for our fellow human beings. We must have love, be charitable, know how to share, know how to give, and be closely connected with our brothers and sisters. Because each of us has weaknesses and shortcomings, and we all are sinners, so God gives us neighbors to accompany, collaborate, and help each other.

He teaches that whatever we want others to do for us, we should first do for them. Know how to give, live in love, and treat others with charity. Do not live selfishly, do not live with hatred, or jealousy, and do not live in division. Do not live with arrogance, and do not seek to dominate others.

In summary, today's Word of God teaches us two lessons:

First: When we pray, believe and trust that God will answer our prayers, as long as we pray with sincerity, simplicity, and utmost loyalty to God.

Second: Live with charity and loving solidarity toward others.

Thanks be to God. Amen.