Queen Esther is one of those great female heroes of the Old
Testament. The Israelites are in
captivity in Babylon. She, specifically
is living in Susa. As an orphan, her
uncle, Mordechai, has raised her in the Jewish faith as his adopted daughter to
be a good humble woman who loves and honors God, following the Lord’s commands. God
granted her the gifts of beauty and humility.
When she was allowed into the harem of the king, they helped her to
become his queen. When the people of
Israel were persecuted and threatened to be killed by the vizier, Esther made
humble supplications to the Lord in prayer for help against the coming tribulations
of her people. The Lord God heard his
daughter and saved his people. Everything about Esther seems to have been preordained to help the Lord's people, but she plays an active role in their continuation, as well as serving as an example of true feminine beauty not only outwardly, but inwardly.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus in speaking about prayer reiterates
that God listens to his people. As a
loving Father he will give us what we need, what is best for us. He also reminds us that we are to “do to
others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus is giving us what some call the Golden Rule.
As we continue our Lenten path, may our humility and virtues let us shine with inward beauty and humility as we grow closer to God.
