February 26, 2006, Thursday of the first week of Lent.

A reading from the book of Esther.

Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord.

She lay prostrate upon the ground together with her handmaids from morning until evening and said,

God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob,

blessed are you? Help me who am alone and have no help but you,

for I am taking my life in my hand.

As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers that you, O Lord,

always free those who are pleasing to you. Now help me, who am alone, and have no one but you,

O Lord, my God. 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.

The Word of the Lord Responsorial Psalm.

The response is,

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth.

In the presence of angels, I will sing your praise.

I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. Lord, on the day I called for help,

you answered me. Because of your kindness and your truth, for you have made great above all things

...