Reading 91 • December 14
Today's Scripture
Esther 4:1–17
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. In every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and most of them lay in sackcloth and ashes. When Esther’s maids and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed; she sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth; but he would not accept them.
Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what was happening and why. Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate, and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and entreat him for her people. Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying, “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—all alike are to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone, may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.” When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. (NRSV)
Reflection
On this Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday (derived from the Latin word for “rejoice”), we light the pink Shepherd Candle symbolizing joy at Christ’s birth. Why then, at a time of celebration, are we absorbing this odd and ominous text from the little-known Book of Esther?
A pivotal Old Testament figure (never mentioned in the New Testament), the Jewish queen of Persia, Esther, relays in this passage her intention to save the Jewish people from annihilation by pleading with the Persian king for mercy. There’s no prophecy about a coming king that we associate with Advent.
Oddities, of course, aren’t unusual. For instance, how peculiar it is that there are two sets of identical twins named Tim and Tom Schellhardt, and neither has met each other. But we are related — just like Esther connects to Advent.
Waiting is the link. Brave Esther and the Jews await to find out if they would escape impending death or benefit from God’s justice and mercy. And, traditionally, Advent is a time of waiting as we anticipate the impending arrival of the Christ child and our Savior — and also of Christ’s return. We also await God’s gift of peace, mercy, and justice.
Another central connection exists. Ethnic nationalism reigned in Esther’s time, imperiling people’s lives simply because of who they were. Today, too, a person’s heritage can serve to dehumanize them and worse. Suggestively, Advent waiting means God is preparing us to act as Esther did against intolerance and hatred toward the powerless. To better capture Esther’s courage, listen to this touching song.
Prayer
Our heavenly Father, remind us that Advent waiting, as in Esther’s time, signifies that our own well-being connects indelibly to those who endure bigotry and oppression. Give us Esther’s strength and courage to take risks, little or lofty, for the sake of others. Amen.
Written by Tim Schellhardt, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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