Readings:
Esther 4: 17
Matthew 7: 7-12
Reflection
Esther in the salvation history of Israel displayed courage beyond her culture and times. Her need for God and her remarkable trust in Him is a powerful testimony for us. Parallel to the trusting attitude of Esther in the Old Testament, we see Jesus teaching his disciples to ask, seek and knock in faith. Only the one with unconditional love can respond to that faith. And who can have such an unconditional love? God alone. The par excellence love of God permits and provides us in an exceptional way. God’s love for us is greater than our understanding. Even if a mother forgets her child I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49: 15)
Asking, seeking and knocking from right spiritual space offers us an overwhelming experience of God’s providence. A right spiritual space is necessary to plunge deep into our hearts and purify our intentions during the process of asking, seeking and knocking. And lent is a time to reorder our spiritual space. A right spiritual space ordered in the light of scriptures and sacraments empowers us to consciously and confidently open ourselves to God. Such openness enables the divine energy flow into us. An honest asking-seeking-knocking, made in the spirit of trust and love, bears fruit in its proper season.
“Entrust yourself entirely to God. He is a Father, and a most loving Father at that, who would rather let heaven and earth collapse than abandon anyone who trusted in him.” –St. Paul of the Cross.
Justin Durai Raj CP is a member of the Passionist community at St. Joseph’s, Hobart.