Reading for Thursday, First Week of Lent, Year A. Memorial: Saint Frances of Rome, Religious. Liturgical Colour: violet

 First Reading: (Esther 12:14-16, 23-25)

Responsorial Psalm:  (Psalms 138:1-2, 2-3, 7-8)

Gospel: (Matthew 7:7-12)

First Reading: (Esther 12:14-16, 23-25)

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:  (Psalms 138:1-2, 2-3, 7-8)

I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart, for you have listened to the cry I uttered.

In the presence of angels I sing to you, I bow down before your holy Temple.

I praise your name for your faithful love and your constancy; your promises surpass even your fame.

You heard me on the day when I called, and you gave new strength to my heart.

Though I live surrounded by trouble you give me life — to my enemies’ fury!

You stretch out your right hand and save me, Yahweh will do all things for me.

Yahweh, your faithful love endures for ever, do not abandon what you have made.

Gospel: (Matthew 7:7-12)

‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. Everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened.

Is there anyone among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or would hand him a snake when he asked for a fish? If you, then, evil as you are, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the Law and the Prophets.