By Sister Juanita, O.C.D.
Take out your Bibles and observe an interesting phenomenon: the book of Esther is divided up into chapters that include both numbers and letters. Whoever heard of such a strange way of composing a book?? Well, this got me thinking about how God at times allows “very unique chapters” into our life story, ones that we may not possibly understand at all.
If our faith is weak, we may begin our prayer from a defensive standpoint: “God, what on earth do You think You’re doing?! This is not the way it should be! This doesn’t make any sense! I can’t understand it!” But if we have come to know Him as the Father Who “gives good things to His children,” (as described in today’s Gospel,) then when life seems so puzzling, when it does not seem to make sense according to our limited perceptions, we will approach Him with a heart of faith and trust, like Queen Esther, imploring His aid, grounded in His promise of love, and resting our heart on His sovereignty. What a difference it makes to know Him…to know Him deeply! This relationship is a gift from God and something we all can attain. All that is required is an openness of our mind and heart to believe that “He works all things for the good of those who love Him.”
Today I invite you, in the current chapter of your life, to put aside any defensiveness and offer yourself to Him as you are. He will help “…open the door” of your heart to live a deeper faith and the questions you have, will not continue being a stumbling block, but will become the foundation for deeper trust in your Heavenly Father who loves you.
