Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent

• First Reading – Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25: Queen Esther, in fear and desperation, prayed for God’s help to save her people, asking for strength and words to defeat their enemies and turn sorrow into joy.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 138: I thank the Lord for hearing my prayers. His love and truth are unchanging, and He strengthens me. He will complete what He has begun, and His kindness endures forever.
• Gospel – Matthew 7:7-12: Jesus told his disciples to ask, seek, and knock, assuring them they would receive. He compared God’s generosity to a parent’s care for their children and taught them to treat others as they want to be treated.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

On Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent, the readings remind us to trust in God and seek His help in our needs. Esther’s prayer shows her trust in God when she faces danger, and Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock in our relationship with God.

• Trusting God’s Help: Esther turns to God when she is afraid and needs help. This theme teaches us to trust that God listens to us when we turn to Him in difficult times.
• Courage in Prayer: Esther shows courage by asking God to save her and her people. Jesus tells us to be brave and persistent in our prayers, knowing that God hears us.
• Asking for What We Need: Jesus says to ask, seek, and knock. This means we should go to God with our needs, confident that He cares for us.
• Perseverance in Faith: Both Esther and Jesus call us to keep praying and not give up. We are reminded that God will respond in His time, even when we have to wait.
• God’s Mercy and Care: Esther believes God will save her because of His kindness. Jesus teaches us that God is generous and will give us what is good.
• Trust in God’s Goodness: Esther’s story shows us that God is good and will not abandon us. Jesus says that if we, who are imperfect, can give good things to others, God will do even better for us.

On Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent, these themes encourage us to place our trust in God, knowing He hears our prayers. We are reminded to be bold in asking for help and to believe in God’s goodness and care.

On Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent, the readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God in times of need. Esther’s prayer in the first reading shows her deep trust in God during a dangerous situation, and Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, trusting that God will listen. These reflections help us understand how to turn to God with faith and perseverance.

Trusting God in Difficult Times

On Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent, Esther’s story teaches us the importance of trusting God in moments of fear and uncertainty. When Esther faced a great danger, she turned to God in prayer, asking for His help. She did not know how God would save her, but she trusted that He would listen and respond. This trust gave her the courage to act, even when she was afraid.

We all face times when we feel helpless or overwhelmed. Like Esther, we may not see a clear way out of our problems. But Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent reminds us that God is always present, even in our darkest moments. We can turn to Him in prayer, confident that He hears us and will provide the help we need.

Trusting God does not mean that our problems will disappear instantly, but it gives us the strength to face them with faith. Esther’s story shows us that God listens to the prayers of His people and responds in His own way. As we reflect on Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent, we are encouraged to trust that God is with us, even when life feels uncertain.

Asking, Seeking, Knocking

Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent invites us to reflect on Jesus’ teaching about asking, seeking, and knocking. Jesus encourages us to approach God with confidence, knowing that He cares about our needs. This is not just about asking for material things, but about trusting God to guide and support us in every part of our lives.

Sometimes, we hesitate to ask God for help, thinking our needs are too small or unimportant. But Jesus assures us that God is a loving Father who wants to give good things to His children. Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent reminds us that we should never be afraid to ask God for what we need, whether it’s strength, wisdom, or comfort in difficult times.

When we knock, it means we actively seek God’s presence in our lives, just as we would knock on a door, expecting it to open. God promises to respond to those who ask, seek, and knock. As we reflect on this message during Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent, we can be encouraged to deepen our trust in God and turn to Him with confidence, knowing that He always listens.

Perseverance in Prayer

One of the key lessons from Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent is the importance of perseverance in prayer. Both Esther and Jesus show us the value of staying faithful in our relationship with God, even when we don’t see immediate answers. Esther prayed with persistence, trusting that God would help her, even though she didn’t know how or when. Jesus also tells us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, believing that God will answer.

In our own lives, we may feel frustrated when our prayers seem unanswered. We may wonder if God is really listening. Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent reminds us that God’s timing is not always the same as ours. Sometimes, the answer comes in ways we don’t expect, or we may need to wait longer than we want. But we can trust that God hears us and will respond in the way that is best for us.

Persevering in prayer strengthens our faith and helps us grow closer to God. As we reflect on Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent, we are reminded to be patient and persistent, knowing that God is always working in our lives, even when we don’t immediately see the results.

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As we reflect on the readings for Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent, we are reminded of the importance of trusting God, asking for what we need, and persevering in prayer. Whether we face small worries or great fears, we can turn to God with confidence, knowing He is always listening and cares for us. Let these reflections strengthen our faith and encourage us to remain steadfast in prayer.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust You in all our troubles. Give us the courage to ask for what we need and the faith to believe that You hear us. Teach us to keep seeking and knocking, knowing that You are with us. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• When have you felt afraid and turned to God for help, like Esther?
• How do you ask God for your needs, and do you trust He will answer?
• What helps you keep praying even when you don’t see an answer right away?
• How can you grow in perseverance and faith during this season of Lent?

USCCB: Reflection on Esther and Mary’s Trust in God

In this USCCB video reflection for Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers highlights Esther and Mary as examples of patient obedience, unwavering trust, and deep love for God. Both women show us how to rely on God completely, even in times of suffering. Their faith points the way to Jesus, helping us live in greater discipleship.

The reflection encourages us to receive Jesus like they did and to respond with love and devotion, offering our lives to God’s will, especially during Lent.

What date is Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent?

The next date is Thursday March 13, 2025.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent?

The Mass readings for Thursday March 13, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25: Queen Esther’s Prayer
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 138: The Lord Answers When I Call
Gospel – Matthew 7:7-12: Ask and You Will Receive

Why does Esther pray for help?

Esther is afraid because her people are in danger. She trusts that God will listen and help her. We can learn from her example to pray when we are in need and believe God will hear us.

How can I relate to Esther’s prayer?

Esther feels helpless but turns to God in her fear. When we face challenges in life, we can also turn to God with our worries and ask Him for help, just like Esther did.

What does Jesus mean by asking, seeking, and knocking?

Jesus teaches us to keep asking for help and trusting that God hears us. It reminds us that we should pray and believe that God will respond, even if it takes time.

Why should I keep praying if nothing seems to happen?

Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent shows us that God hears our prayers, even if the answer isn’t immediate. We can learn to be patient and trust that God will act at the right time.

How does God answer our prayers?

Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent reminds us that God gives us what we need, though it may not always be what we expect. We should trust that God knows what is best for us, just as Esther trusted.

What does Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent teach about trusting God?

Both Esther and Jesus show us the importance of trusting in God’s goodness and care. We are reminded to believe that God will take care of us, just as He took care of Esther.

How can I apply the teachings of Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent to my life?

We can apply the readings by turning to God in prayer when we need help, and by trusting that He will answer in the way that is best. We can also learn to be persistent in our faith, just as Jesus teaches.

What if I feel my prayers are not answered?

Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent encourages us to keep praying and not give up. Sometimes God’s answer comes in a different way or at a different time than we expect, but He always hears us.

Why does Jesus compare God’s response to a parent’s love?

Jesus helps us understand that God’s love is even greater than a parent’s love for a child. Just as parents give good things to their children, God gives us what is best when we ask.