Lenten Weekday (Total Consecration - Day 6)
FIRST READING: Esther C: 12, 14 - 16, 23 - 25
12 Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord.
14 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,
15 for I am taking my life in my hand.
16 As a child I was wont to hear from the people of the land of my forefathers that you, O Lord, chose Israel from among all peoples, and our fathers from among all their ancestors, as a lasting heritage, and that you fulfilled all your promises to them.
23 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.
24 Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.
25 Save us by your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord. "You know all things.
1 I give thee thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing thy praise;
2 I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name for thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness; for thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word.
3 On the day I called, thou didst answer me, my strength of soul thou didst increase.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me.
8 The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O LORD, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands.
7 "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
12 So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
This site helped me to locate today's reading in my Bible, for I don't understand what is meant by Esther C in my New Jerusalem Bible. If you could explain the structural arrangement of Esther for me, I will greatly appreciate. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThe Book of Esther was originally written in Hebrew. However it was conveyed in 2 versions, a short Hebrew version and a longer Greek version. The Greek version contains 107 additional verses inserted at appropriate places in the Hebrew version of the text. Some scholars believe some of the insertions have Hebrew origin while other insertions are Greek in composition. Some think it possible the Hebrew text original throughout and the later Greek text was a paraphrase of the Hebrew. Scholars think the Greek text pre-Christian in origin, and the Church has accepted them as equally inspired with the rest of Esther. The sections of the book preceded by the letters A-F indicate the Greek additions. Regular chapter numbers refer to the original Hebrew text.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brother Smith, the tips was really helpful. Bye
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