Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the first week of Lent, February 26th, 2026

Delivered by Gladys from the Parish of Saint Gabriel in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. Esther C 4: 10a.10c-12.17-19; Rs psalm 138: 1-2a.2bc-3.7c-8; Matthew 7: 7-12.GOD IS OUR HELPER Our meditation today isentitled: God Is Our Helper. Mrs. Martha, a widow, has been working for morethan twenty years as a sacristant in a local parish church. Her monthly salaryis far less than the lowest salary for a civil servant. Meanwhile she has theeldest son who is in college and his younger brother who is still in highschool. One time her son whois a university student badly needed money for an important academic activity.However, this mother did not have at all the amount that her son needed. Sheworked as usual and continued to pray in the church, while welcoming the variouspeople who came to pray in the church. There was a guest from outside the areawho, after praying, gave her an envelope filled with money. He said that hisnovena prayer was granted and the first person he met at the church deserved avery sincere sign of gratitude from him. The money was the exact amount for herson's need at the university. In reality, half ofour prayers are petitions. We ask and beg because we believe that God is sogenerous. It is impossible for us to continue asking and asking at those whodon't have anything. Because God is so abundant in his grace, we ask Himwithout ceasing. So God really is our helper. Through requests and petitions inprayers, God gives us according to His will. Human needs will notbe exhausted when they are still in the world. At times when we are not pressedor not in difficulties, it seems that our prayers do not contain requests. Itmay also be that our prayers every day do not specifically express requests orasking, because our lives are just flowing and simply normal. But when viewedobjectively, our own lives are a gift to be implemented day and night. We justneed God's guidance and protection. We certainly expressgratitude for this gift. However, in the prayer of thanksgiving, implied arequest that our lives be kept away from all evil influences and enemy'sthreat. We hope that our faith and hope for God's providence will remainstrong. Esther in the Old Testament tells how the danger of death wasthreatening her life. Queen Esther firmly believed that only God's help wouldshe rely on. Although she felt so lonely and there was no one by her side, shetruly believed that God was her true and main helper. God cannot bear torefuse His children asking for help in strong faith and hope. Especially in thedifficulties and sufferings of life, our only hope is the almighty God. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... Almighty God, may Your power be with us in the moments of difficulty andtrials in our lives. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...