Catholic Commentary on Esther 10

"For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people." (Esther 10:3)

The Greatness of Mordecai

King Xerxes lays tribute on the land and the coastlands of the sea. All his acts of power and might, and the full account of the high honour of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people. The book closes with Mordecai at the summit of Persian power, second only to the king, his greatness recorded in the imperial chronicles, his purpose defined as the welfare and peace of his people.

The Greek additions to Esther include Mordecai's interpretation of his dream from the opening: the two dragons were himself and Haman, the small spring that became a river was Esther, and the lot cast by the nations was overturned by God. The Catechism draws from the Esther narrative the principle of faithful witness in diaspora: the covenant people flourish when they serve both their people and the larger community with integrity (CCC 2240).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, Mordecai spoke peace to all his people. The one who sought the welfare of the covenant community also spoke peace to all his people. The faithful Jewish diaspora does not retreat into separatism but seeks the welfare of the city in which it lives. Seek the welfare. Speak the peace. Your Purim will come.

Prayer

Lord God, give your people the spirit of Mordecai: to seek the welfare of our people and to speak peace to all. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

10
Tribute to Xerxes and Mordecai
1 Now King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the land, even to its farthest shores.
 
2 And all of Mordecai’s powerful and magnificent accomplishments, together with the full account of the greatness to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.

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