Thursday, March 01, 2007
From AscensionNYC
Thursday in the First Week in Lent
Psalm 138
Esther (Apocrypha) 14:1-6,12-14
Matthew 7:7-12
Sometimes when I read Bible passages, my eyes just glaze over trying to figure out what is the relevance of the passage.
Why should I even care? It is just another ancient tale! Some of the passages are enough to make you wonder who edited this book anyway. Women, who are to be dominated by men, are sprinkled into the passages almost as an afterthought.
What a pleasant surprise to find a reading from Esther in the Apocrypha among today's readings! She was the second queen and wife of King Ahasuerus, whose reign extended fromIndia Ethiopia
Type Esther into a search engine, like Google or Yahoo, and you can find over 38 million possible sites that include among them a blog, a podcast, a line of fine chocolates, a photo gallery, an art gallery, a bed and breakfast, and several sites devoted to the late Esther Williams.
Queen Esther is very much like a modern lady. She has pampered herself with fine oils, perfumes, and designer clothing. No doubt she has a personal fitness trainer and eats the best organic foods. She is her "own wholly owned subsidiary" of most of our modern day high end retail outlets. She would fit in very well with today's diva set.
But like all of us at some point, Queen Esther is completely wracked with anxiety. Today it is called "stress." In Lent we are reminded that prayer and meditation are the true relievers of anxiety and stress. As the Psalmist says, "On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul…Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me." In Matthew we are commanded to "Ask…and the door will be opened…" These are comforting words to reflect on throughout Lent and beyond.
Esther (Apocrypha) 14:1-6,12-14
Matthew 7:7-12
Sometimes when I read Bible passages, my eyes just glaze over trying to figure out what is the relevance of the passage.
Why should I even care? It is just another ancient tale! Some of the passages are enough to make you wonder who edited this book anyway. Women, who are to be dominated by men, are sprinkled into the passages almost as an afterthought.
What a pleasant surprise to find a reading from Esther in the Apocrypha among today's readings! She was the second queen and wife of King Ahasuerus, whose reign extended from
Type Esther into a search engine, like Google or Yahoo, and you can find over 38 million possible sites that include among them a blog, a podcast, a line of fine chocolates, a photo gallery, an art gallery, a bed and breakfast, and several sites devoted to the late Esther Williams.
Queen Esther is very much like a modern lady. She has pampered herself with fine oils, perfumes, and designer clothing. No doubt she has a personal fitness trainer and eats the best organic foods. She is her "own wholly owned subsidiary" of most of our modern day high end retail outlets. She would fit in very well with today's diva set.
But like all of us at some point, Queen Esther is completely wracked with anxiety. Today it is called "stress." In Lent we are reminded that prayer and meditation are the true relievers of anxiety and stress. As the Psalmist says, "On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul…Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me." In Matthew we are commanded to "Ask…and the door will be opened…" These are comforting words to reflect on throughout Lent and beyond.
Janet Fisher
