today's other readings are Psalm 138 and Mt. 7: 7-12
Have you ever found yourself in a "tough spot"? That is, a situation in which you know you have to act, but no matter what choice you make, disaster could result? That is exactly the situation Esther finds herself in.
Esther is a Jewish woman living in Exile (6th century BC). however, Esther has a few thing in her favour. Orphaned, she is in the care of her uncle, Mordecai, an adviser to the Persian King Ahasuerus. She is beautiful, and she becomes the spouse of the King. But her Jewish identity is unknown to the king.
From her uncle she learns of a plot by Haman, who hates Mordecai and all Jews, to have all Jews killed on a date in the near future, and receives approval for the king for this plan. Mordecai tells Esther that she must intervene of behalf of him and all her fellow Jews. If she doesn't, they will all die. If she does, she risks her own death by coming to the king uninvited. Which brings us to her prayer in our 1st reading.
Did you notice what she says to God? She reminds of God's care for His chosen people. Then she asks God for words of wisdom to share with the King. But in the end, she knows she can only do so with God's help.
This is a prayer for wisdom and courage - recognizing it must come from God. It is also a pray of remembrance - remembering all that God has done for His people in the past. Hence, it becomes a prayer based on hope and trust. It was a magnificent prayer. And it was one that was answered.
P.S. Esther is one of the 3 books of the Bible named after a woman? Can you name the other two? Tick, tick, tick.
Answer: Ruth and Judith. All 3 are found in the Old Testament.