Pray to act

The texts today from the Roman CatholicLectionary include a passage from the Book of Ester. (It is likely that the text today is from the Greek text, not part of the Jewish or Reformed canon). This Book tells the story, which is remembered annually by the Jewish celebration of Purim, of the action of the Ester, Queen of Persia and a Jewess, to convince the King of Persia not to wipe out the Jewish people in an act of genocide which was advocated by one of the advisers to the king, Haman. Ester acts to accomplish this by prayer to “give her” the courage and knowledge to speak in persuasive tongue. Kirk Peck of Creighton University is struck by the desire of Ester to be active in the action requested in prayer from God. He notes that, in keeping with western civilization, we expect immediate gratification from our prayer. The Will of God in the situations of life is the direction we seek in prayer. Our attending to action in support of our understanding of this Will is our part in the process described by Jesus in the Gospel from Matthew today. The daily exegesis blog puts the text in the context of how we treat others as prescribed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. The prudence required of those who act as Jesus disciples is such that we need to avoid judgment of others (Matthew 7:1-5) and do to others as you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12). The Ask, Search, and Knock section in this Gospel is the instruction list for Jesus disciples to acquire the peace, patience and wisdom to move and encounter people according to the Will of God. The psalmist declares and we are invited to experience “When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me” (Psalm 138:3)