God shapes us through prayer

by transforming our hearts, minds, and character,

bending our will to align with His,

and cultivating patience, resilience,

and dependence on Him.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25

Seized with anguish

In her fear of death, queen Esther likewise had recourse to the Lord.

Then she prayed to the Lord God of Israel: My Lord, you who stand alone, come to my help;

I am alone and have no help but you. Through my own choice I am endangering my life.

 

As a child I was wont to hear from the people of the land of my forebears that you,

O Lord, chose Israel from among all people,

and our fathers from among their ancestors to be your lasting heritage;

that you did for them, all that you have promised.

 

Remember us, Lord; reveal yourself in the time of our calamity.

Give me courage, King of gods and master of all power.

Make my words persuasive when I face the lion;

turn his heart against our enemy that the latter and his like may be brought to their end.

Save us by your hand; help me who am alone and have none but you, O Lord.

 

Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8 

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 7:7-12

Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.

For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Would any of you give a stone to your son, when he asks for bread?

Or give him a snake, when he asks for a fish?

 

However bad you may be, you know how to give good things to your children.

How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

So, do to others whatever you would

that others do to you: there, you have the law and the prophets.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

God is shaping us through our prayer.

 "Prayer is the measure of our faith."

In today's Gospel, Jesus urges us to ask, seek, and knock,

reminding us to rely on God's benevolence.

Though God, being all-knowing, already understands our needs,

He desires that we grow in our relationship with Him as our loving Father.

 

Just as children cannot live without their parents, we are also invited to depend on God,

who desires us. Prayer, therefore,

becomes a touchstone of our faith and a vital pillar of our relationship with God.

But does God grant all our petitions?

 

God knows our needs and provides what is best for us. Often, the answers come in unexpected forms.

When we ask for patience, God gives us trials to cultivate it.

When we pray for humility, He allows experiences of humiliation.

For strength, He sends us trials. These only prove that God is shaping us through our prayer.

So, the next time we feel our prayers are unanswered, let us trust God's heart.

After all, prayer is not about asking; it is trusting the God who,

through prayer, transforms us and keeps us united with Him.

Keep praying.