Lenten Reflection for 3/2

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

Daily Prayer

Eternal Father, who have given us every blessing, pour out the gifts of the Holy Spirit across the face of the earth and, as when the Gospel was first proclaimed, fill now once more the hearts of believers.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Scripture Readings

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Matthew 7:7-12
(Click for today’s Readings.)

Scripture Quote

Matthew 7:7

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.”


Reflection

Many of us feel, especially if we are in a dark and difficult time in our life, that if we only pray hard enough, God will grant our prayer and give us what we seek. He does, but not in the way humans expect. Rather, as we grow on our spiritual journey, we learn our prayer is answered when we pray to God differently: What does God want me to have or do in this situation? That’s when we feel the presence of our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, most strongly. That’s when our difficulty is solved in a satisfying way to all, a solution we never would have thought of—or prayed for.

Reflection Questions

  • When I pray, am I confident that God will provide whatever I truly need?
  • Can I help others who are seeking to find God?

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.