Readings for Thursday 1st Week of Lent

First Reading
Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25

I have no protector other than you, Lord.

A reading from the Book of Esther

Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish,
   had recourse to the LORD.
She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids,
   from morning until evening, and said:
   “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you.
Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,
   for I am taking my life in my hand.
As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers
   that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.
Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you,
   O LORD, my God.

“And now, come to help me, an orphan.
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.
Save us from the hand of our enemies;
   turn our mourning into gladness
   and our sorrows into wholeness.”


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

R. :

R. (3a) Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
   for you have heard the words of my mouth;
   in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
   and give thanks to your name.

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.
When I called, you answered me;
   you built up strength within me.

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
   your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
   forsake not the work of your hands.

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.


Gospel Acclamation
Ps 51:12a, 14a

A clean heart create for me, O God;
give me back the joy of your salvation.


Gospel
Mt 7:7-12

Everyone who asks, receives.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

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.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
   and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
   when he asked for a loaf of bread,
   or a snake when he asked for a fish?
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.
This is the law and the prophets.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:

Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.


Homilies / Gospel Reflections



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