13 March 2025 Catholic Mass Bible Reading

13 March 2025 Catholic Mass Bible Reading    • 13 March 2025 Catholic Mass Bible Rea...   Thursday 13 March 2025 First reading Esther 4:17m, 17o-17q, 17x-17z + US-23-25 Esther the queen seized with deathly anxiety, fled to the Lord; And she prayed to the Lord God of Israel and said: ‘O my Lord, you only are our King; help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, for my danger is in my hand. Ever since I was born I have heard in the tribe of my family that you, O Lord, took Israel out of all the nations and our fathers from among all their ancestors for an everlasting inheritance and that you did for them all that you promised. Remember, O Lord; make yourself known in this time of our affliction and give me courage, O King of the gods and Master of all dominion! Put eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion and turn his heart to hate the man who is fighting against us, so that there may be an end of him and those who agree with him. But save us by your hand and help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, O Lord.’ "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 Ps 138(137):1-2a. 2bc, 3. 7c-8. ℟3a On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord. I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I praise you. I bow down towards your holy Temple. On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord. I give thanks to your name for your merciful love and your faithfulness.. On the day I called, you answered me; you increased the strength of my soul. On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord. With your right hand you save me; the Lord will accomplish this for me. O Lord, your merciful love is eternal; discard not the work of your hands. On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord. Gospel Acclamation Psalm 51(50):12a, 14a Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Create a pure heart for me, O God; restore in me the joy of your salvation. Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Gospel Matthew 7:7-12 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.’ Gospel of the Lord