Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the first week of Lent, March 13, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Esther C 4: 10a.10c-12.17-19; Rs psalm 138: 1-2a.2bc-3.7c-8; Matthew 7: 7-12LORD MY HELPER Our meditation today has the theme: Lord my Helper.Children at home and at school are always taught to ask when praying to God.They are told that the scriptures teach people to ask, therefore, God willgive. So Ronald, a very active 5th grade elementary school student,a clever and smart child, prayed to God in the first place then went to ask hisparents to provide.  At one time Ronald prayed like this: "Lord Jesus,tell Mama to add ten thousand (Rupiah) so that I can have snacks with myfriends later." After that Ronald went to tell his mother, that he hadprayed to the Lord Jesus, that his mother would add another ten thousandspocket money. Then he took ten thousands from his mother and left to play withhis friends. Ronald always prays in this way. If we want to be honest, more than half of our prayersare in the form of supplications. We ask and beg because we believe that God isthe provider of our lives and that he is the Lord of mercy. It is impossiblefor us to ask endlessly for those who have nothing, therefore, this is how weview God. There is no doubt, God is actually our helper. Through requests andsupplications in prayers, God listens and provides help according to His will. Humans' needs will not run out while they are still inthe world. In reality, in times when our circumstances are not urgent or not indanger, it seems that our prayers do not contain supplications. It is alsopossible that our daily prayers do not specifically express requests orsupplications, because our lives are flowing and normal. But if we look at itobjectively, our own life is a gift to be lived day and night. Instead, we needGod's guidance and protection. We should express gratitude for that gift, but in factwe implicitly ask that our lives be kept away from all evil influences andthreats of the enemy. We hope that our faith and hope in His providence willremain steadfast. The book of Esther in the Old Testament tells how the dangerof death was threatening her life, the prophet Esther was very convinced thatonly God's help was she could rely on. She felt that no one was accompanyingand helping, but only God was believed to be the main helper.  God indeed has a compassionate heart to let Hischildren ask for help in steadfast faith and strong hope. Especially in thedifficulties and hardships, our only hope is the Almighty God.Let us pray. In the name of the Father … O God, may YourSpirit always be with us in our difficult times and troubles in our lives. HailMary full of grace ... In the name of the Father...