13 Mar
Thu
1st Week of Lent
(Psalter Week I)
Est. 4:17 (JB) or 14:1,3-5,12-14 (RSV)
Ps. 138:1-3,7-8
Mt. 7:7-12
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This passage from the Book of Esther is a very heartfelt prayer. Extreme danger - total calamity - threatened Esther's people. She gives us an example of truly disinterested unselfish love. We see, too, her deep faith in God and in His power over evil, and the conviction of her own helplessness. What a completely childlike trust is shown here. Esther addresses the Lord as 'King of Gods and master of all power' and says of herself 'I am alone and have no one but you.' In fact, she might have sought help in the ordinary way, but she recognised her solitude before God and the need of the help which He alone could give. She had no hesitation about asking, confident that she would receive. She well understood the words that Jesus was to speak later in history.

God loves to give us those things which will help us to grow in His image, so that we may enjoy the fulness of life for which He destines us.



Lord, You alone can satisify my needs I place all my trust in You.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That each one of the people of God and their pastors, may grow in their realization of the importance of the sacrament of reconciliation, the gift of God's merciful love.
Elaboration

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