SO SHALL GOD

Today's 1st reading tells of the legendary Queen Esther who for her great courage and faith in the Lord saved her people from being exterminated. It was not an easy task for a woman like her to do at that time but she was able to do it through God's power, might and faithfulness to His people. Speaking of bravery reminded me of our trip a couple of years ago in Crestline. At first, it was like a glimpse of heaven on our way up to the mountain on the "Rim of the World Scenic Byway" but it suddenly turned to a near death experience. We have been completely caught off guard by the sudden change of the weather plus the fact that the place had been destroyed by fire and the streets and landmarks might have been erased or changed and the information in the mapquest had not been revised. We had no idea anymore where we were going. We were confronted with a no room for mistake, one wrong move and you're doomed worst case scenario as the surroundings turned dark and became close to zero visibility in just an instant. The panic and fear we felt back then must have been like Queen Esther’s as she pleaded to God for help. It was like nothing could help us and all we did was to completely trust God. We surrendered everything to the Lord and before we know it the roads suddenly cleared up and the directions we were following made sense. God’s goodness and mercy showed us His saving power and grace. The experience up on that mountain was really something but more than anything else was the realization that God in His goodness is able to give us the help that we need which leads us to finding the right path. Looking back at such experiences would make us see that God only wants us to go nowhere but through the door to His Perfect Will and Plan. Indeed, God allows things to happen for a reason, which is far greater and divine than our own intended purpose. Amen, Hallelujah!

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, likewise had recourse to the Lord.
Then she prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, saying: "My Lord, our King, you alone are God. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand...Save us by your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord. "You know all things...Be mindful of us, O Lord. Manifest yourself in the time of our distress and give me courage, King of gods and Ruler of every power...Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.

If there's one thing for sure, that is the truth that God knows everything we are going through and He will not withhold the help that we need from Him in His most appropriate and best time, place and situation. All we need to do is just give our trust completely to Him who will complete what he has done for us and would not forsake the work of His hands. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
R: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
...Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 7 Your right hand saves me. 8 The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands.

If we will just keep the words of God in our hearts, minds and souls and live by it every single day then we can never go wrong. Today's gospel is one of the first bible passages that have really caught my attention when I was just new to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Being a parent and mother myself and imperfect at that, I am still capable of doing the best that I can for the sake of my children. If we can do it for our children so shall God who is perfect in every way. Knowing this to be true in my heart and mind then we should never have any doubt about the love, care and concern that God our Father has for all of us, His children. We have an all knowing God and Father who is always ready to provide for everything that we need except for those things which are not good for us. We may think that the things we have been praying for are good for us as presented and dictated by our limited minds, imperfect ways, yearnings and plans. We are God's children and we are destined for greater things and more than what our minds could ever comprehend. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 7:7-12
7 Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.9 Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, 10 or a snake when he asks for a fish? 11 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you...