There is a saying "Nothing sharpens the mind like the guillotine." That is, when faced with death or a close brush with death things instantly become clearer...the mind is more focused and aware. This life and death situation is exactly where Queen Esther finds herself in today's first reading.
There is a man, high up in political power, who is seeking the destruction not only of Queen Esther but of all the Jewish people. Today's passage catches up with Esther just before she goes in to plead with the king (who is not himself a Jew and who has not invited Esher to enter the royal court - another no no). We hear the prayer Esther makes, under her breath, as it were, before she enters the court of the king to attempt to sway his favor and save herself and her people.
The prayer is telling. Esther acknowledges that she has 'heard of the Lord' and how He chose the people of Israel...but today she calls on Him not as a mere memory of her childhood but from the depths of her clear and present danger.
SHe addresses God directly - asking Him to 'put eloquent speech in my mouth'. On this day Esther's relationship with God moves from her head to her heart - from an intellectual 'knowing-about-God' to a deep and personal cry for deliverance.
Told another way the story of Esther might cause us to reflect on how reaching 'rock bottom' or the end of our natural strength can open us up to a new outpouring of God's grace. As Lent continues let us not be surprised if God allows us to bump into our own weakness and failures - as these can open us up to a new reliance on God...can draw us closer than if we had floated perfectly through Lent. - homily Thursday Feb 26
There is a man, high up in political power, who is seeking the destruction not only of Queen Esther but of all the Jewish people. Today's passage catches up with Esther just before she goes in to plead with the king (who is not himself a Jew and who has not invited Esher to enter the royal court - another no no). We hear the prayer Esther makes, under her breath, as it were, before she enters the court of the king to attempt to sway his favor and save herself and her people.
The prayer is telling. Esther acknowledges that she has 'heard of the Lord' and how He chose the people of Israel...but today she calls on Him not as a mere memory of her childhood but from the depths of her clear and present danger.
SHe addresses God directly - asking Him to 'put eloquent speech in my mouth'. On this day Esther's relationship with God moves from her head to her heart - from an intellectual 'knowing-about-God' to a deep and personal cry for deliverance.
Told another way the story of Esther might cause us to reflect on how reaching 'rock bottom' or the end of our natural strength can open us up to a new outpouring of God's grace. As Lent continues let us not be surprised if God allows us to bump into our own weakness and failures - as these can open us up to a new reliance on God...can draw us closer than if we had floated perfectly through Lent. - homily Thursday Feb 26
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