Thursday of the First Week of Lent
We could hardly imagine a more desperate moment of prayer than the one described in our first reading. Queen Esther representing her entire Jewish people was about to plead her case before the King and the outcome would determine the future existence of her people. She and her maids were preparing for this encounter by pouring out their prayer to God to protect and guide them at this critical moment. Esther expressed the feeling of being totally alone and defenseless in this pivotal moment.
Jesus in our Gospel today teaches us how to pray and how to pray with confidence. Petitionary prayer was probably the first kind of prayer we learned at our mother’s knee. That was long after the time of Queen Esther’s prayer. We must remember that a world-changing event happened in the meantime. Jesus, the Son of God, took on our human nature to show us the depth of God’s love for us. Through His death and resurrection, He promised to remain with us in our human experience. That makes a huge difference in the way we can pray.
We can and do face massive threats and losses in our lives, but in the midst of such fear and pain Jesus, the Son of God, suffers with us. When we pray He holds us close, giving us the strength to move forward as best we can, with our greatest and ultimate hope beyond this world.
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources