Celebrate with Presents for the Poor

Acts of Worship
Stewardship for Life

Serving the Least

Esther 9:19-23  The Message

^16-19 Meanwhile in the rest of the king’s provinces, the Jews had organized and defended themselves, freeing themselves from oppression. On the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, they killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them but did not take any plunder. The next day, the fourteenth, they took it easy and celebrated with much food and laughter. But in Susa, since the Jews had banded together on both the thirteenth and fourteenth days, they made the fifteenth their holiday for laughing and feasting. (This accounts for why Jews living out in the country in the rural villages remember the fourteenth day of Adar for celebration, their day for parties and the exchange of gifts.)

^20-22 Mordecai wrote all this down and sent copies to all the Jews in all King Xerxes’ provinces, regardless of distance, calling for an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar as the occasion when Jews got relief from their enemies, the month in which their sorrow turned to joy, mourning somersaulted into a holiday for parties and fun and laughter, the sending and receiving of presents and of giving gifts to the poor.

²³ And they did it. What started then became a tradition, continuing the practice of what Mordecai had written to them.

For Reflection 

What are your traditions for the poor?  Do you prepare Christmas gifts for a needy family?  Do you contribute to the food bank, Goodwill, or any other human service organizations?  Do you volunteer your time?

The Jews engaged an aggressor and won.  They were merciful in battle, killing only those who took up arms, sparing women and children.  They celebrated their victories not by retributive acts, but rather, by acts of kindness, forgiveness and compassion.   Compassion became a tradition.

Pray

prayers of forgiveness for the times when evil leaves little choice but defense.  Pray for the grace of God do descend upon you and show you paths to compassion.  Pray so that the corruption of life does not erode your faith and commitment to God.