COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
It is a wonder that the book of Esther, written about 460 B.C., was included in the Old Testament canon, for there is no mention of God, prayer, or worship. It is the story of how a wave of anti-Semitism was halted by a brave Jewish queen, Esther, and her adopted father, Mordecai. The outcome was the institution of the Feast of Purim.

Epistle: James 5:13-20
In the concluding paragraph of the book of James, we deal with sickness, sin and prayer with oil. Praying with faith will heal the sick and forgive sin. If we pray for each other, we will be healed. The power of prayer is illustrated by Elijah's prayers dealing with rain. Whoever brings back a sinner will save the sinner's soul from death.

Gospel: Mark 9:38-50
The first part of t…