FIRST
READING: Esther
C: 12, 14 - 16, 23 - 25
12
Queen Esther also, fearing the danger that was at hand, had recourse
to the Lord.
14
And she prayed to the Lord the God of Israel, saying: O my Lord, who
alone art our king, help me a desolate woman, and who have no other
helper but thee.
15
My danger is in my hands.
16
I have heard of my father that thou, O Lord, didst take Israel from
among all nations, and our fathers from all their predecessors, to
possess them as an everlasting inheritance, and thou hast done to
them as thou hast promised.
23
Remember, O Lord, and shew thyself to us in the time of our
tribulation, and give me boldness, O Lord, king of gods, and of all
power:
24
Give me a well ordered speech in my mouth in the presence of the
lion, and turn his heart to the hatred of our enemy, that both he
himself may perish, and the rest that consent to him.
25
But deliver us by thy hand, and help me, who have no other helper,
but thee, O Lord.
PSALM:
Psalms 138:
1 - 3, 7 - 8
1
I will praise thee, O lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard
the words of my mouth. I will sing praise to thee in the sight of his
angels:
2
I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy
name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy
holy name above all.
3
In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me: thou shall
multiply strength in my soul.
7
If I shall walk in the midst of tribulation, thou wilt quicken me:
and thou hast stretched forth thy hand against the wrath of my
enemies: and thy right hand hath saved me.
8
The Lord will repay for me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O
despise not the work of thy hands.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 7:
7 - 12
7
Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and
it shall be opened to you.
8
For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth:
and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
9
Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread,
will he reach him a stone?
10
Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent?
11
If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children:
how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to
them that ask him?
12
All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you,
do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.
