Day 277: Such a Time as This

Nehemiah 9:1-38 The people of Judah gathered together on the Day of Atonement to confess their sins against the Law Ezra’s eloquent prayer recalled the goodness and faithfulness of God despite the sins and infidelities of his people. This prayer contains elements of praise, thanksgiving, contrition, and petition, which are the four major types of prayer. (CCC 2098-2099)


Ch 9:11-13 The Exodus from Egypt by way of the Red Sea and the Revelation of the Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai are the two most sacred events in the history of Israel. Since the liberation of the Jewish people occurred through the waters of the Red Sea, the Exodus event is a type (TYPOLOGY!!) of the salvation effected through the waters of Baptism. (CCC 1221)


Esther 4:1-17 The Jews mourned their impending fate, which prompted Mordecai to do penance. Through a messenger he asked Esther to intercede before the king on behalf of the Jews, and he even suggested that this intervention might well be the very reason she had been chosen as queen. Her intervention serves as an example of fidelity to one’s faith in the face of serious difficulties. It is important that all people stand up for the natural rights of every person. (CCC 2239, 2255)


Ch 4:15-17b Here we see a striking submission to God’s holy will and his governance of the world: Esther sought firmly to intercede for the Jews before the king, only after days of fasting and prayer. After seeking out divine assistance, she left her fate entirely in God’s hands, submitting herself to his will despite the inherent danger to her own life. (CCC 269)


Ch 13:8-18 [Greek] Ever faithful, Mordecai turned to God in prayer, an eloquent, psalm-like request that both praised and petitioned the Lord for his goodness and mercy. (CCC 2589)


Ch 14:1-19 [Greek] Esther’s own mourning and prayer expressed her great trust in God and in his promises to come to the aid of his people. 

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)



“Yet you have been just in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly; our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or heeded your commandments and your warnings which you gave them. They did not serve you in their kingdom, and in your great goodness which you gave them, and in the large and rich land which you set before them; and they did not turn from their wicked works.” (Neh 9:33-35)



“Behold, we are slaves to this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves. And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins; they have power also over our bodies and over our cattle at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.” (Neh 9:36-37)


(*Walking With God: A Journey Through The Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins)



Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we thank you. We give you praise. You are the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. You are the Lord of Lords. You are the King of Kings. You are the Master of All. And we belong to you. And we trust in you. And we proclaim your goodness. Our mouths declare your goodness, Lord, in this world that you created. Help us to always praise you. Help us always to declare your goodness. Help us always to give you glory and honor and worship and to thank you every day. For you, for YOU, are God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”