Thursday of the 1st week of Lent
First reading – Esther 4:17
“Queen Esther took refuge with the Lord in the mortal peril which had overtaken her. She besought the Lord God of Israel in these words”. This is the example of Esther. We must be inspired by this. Taking refuge, beseeching the Lord God and empowering oneself before our challenges and crisis. Taking refuge comes from the unfailing trust in the Lord which you can see in these words, “My Lord, our King, the only one, come to my help, for I am alone and have no helper but you and am about to take my life in my hands”. The trust in the Lord which comes from our faith formation. Formation specially by the reading the Word of God and by the participation in the Sacraments. It’s a surety that God will help. And with this trust you entrust your life pouring out your anguish or agony or worries. This is followed by empowering oneself from his power, “As for me, give me courage, King of gods and master of all power. Put persuasive words into my mouth…”. The situation of agony or stress becomes a dialogue of confidence and empowerment in the Lord. Let’s reflect: Is this Lent a dialogue of empowerment from the Lord to face my challenges in life?