Sunday, June 11, 2017

A Guide to Reflections

Two years have already gone by since I began reflecting on the weekday readings. Since these readings follow a two-year cycle, I've decided to direct readers back to the beginning of my reflections. The reflections for the 10th week in Ordinary Time begin on June 7, 2015. Please visit the blog post for that date to start over. There may be variations from time to time, but most of the reflections should follow fairly closely.

Sunday readings follow a three-year cycle. We are currently in Year A. If you care to read reflections for the Sunday readings, please visit the post from June 15, 2014, for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Year A. In September, you will have to jump back to 2011 to pick up Year A at the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. From there, you can follow the remainder of Year A and lead into Year B and Year C. 

Please watch this blog for new posts on various topics and perhaps for a new series coming soon.

Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Reflection for the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Part 2

Thursday – Decided in Heaven

As our story continues, we see Raphael guiding Tobit's son, Tobiah, on a journey. Along the way, they stop at Sarah's home. Since Sarah's father, Raguel, and Tobit are kinsman, Tobiah and his companion receive a warm welcome.

Even more importantly, when Tobiah sees Sarah, something clicks. It's love at first sight, and Tobiah immediately asks Raguel for Sarah's hand in marriage. To his credit, Raguel tells Tobiah what has happened seven times before, but Tobiah is adamant. He will marry Sarah.

Raguel then recognizes God's hand at work. “She is yours according to the decree of the Book of Moses,” he tells Tobiah. “Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven!”

Indeed it has. When Tobiah and Sarah retire to the wedding chamber for the night, the first thing they do is drop to their knees and pray for God's protection, mercy, and blessing. They receive all three, for Tobiah and his wife both wake up the next morning.

Friday – Amazement and Joy

Today's installment of the story of Tobit is filled with amazement and joy. First, Tobiah arrives home. His parents aren't really expecting to ever see him again, so they are both relieved and overjoyed to embrace their beloved child.

But something even more amazing is in store for Tobit and Anna. According to Raphael's instructions, Tobiah smears fish gall on Tobit's eyes and peels away the cataracts that have been blinding his father. And Tobit can see. The first thing he does is pray. “Blessed be God, and praised be His great name,” Tobit exclaims, “and blessed be all His holy angels. May His holy name be praised throughout all the ages, because it was He Who scourged me, and it is He Who has had mercy on me. Behold, I now see my son Tobiah!”

The joy doesn't even stop there. Tobiah can't keep his own news to himself any longer, and he tells his parents about his marriage to Sarah. Tobit and Anna are once again amazed and overjoyed, and they welcome their new daughter-in-law with open arms and blessings.

Joy has returned to the house of Tobit.

Saturday – One More Surprise

It seems as though things couldn't get any better for Tobit and his family, but God has one more surprise in store for them. Tobiah's traveling companion has an announcement.

After giving Tobit and Tobiah some excellent advice about almsgiving and prayer, Raphael, whom they have known only as the man Azariah, drops his bombshell.

“I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.”

Then he tells Tobit and Tobiah to pick themselves up off the ground. God has heard all of their prayers, Raphael explains, and He sent his angel as His instrument to carry out His will for Tobit, Anna, Tobiah, and Sarah.

The story ends, as it should, with Tobit praising God.

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Reflection for the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Part 1

Monday – Not Afraid

This week we follow the story of Tobit and his son Tobiah, Jews living in exile in Nineveh. Tobit is determined to obey God's law no matter what the cost. He has already been threatened with execution once for burying a dead man, but that wasn't going to stop him from doing it again.

When we first meet Tobit, he is about to sit down to a fancy meal, but he decides that he's missing something. Other people are hungry, and at least one of them should be able to share this fine supper. So Tobit sends Tobiah to find a God fearing person to eat with them.

Tobiah hardly gets out the door before he is met with a horrifying sight. One of their fellow Jews has been strangled in the street and his body left to the dogs and birds. Tobit springs to his feet when his son rushes back to get him. He dashes out, grabs the body, hides it in an empty room, and buries it after dark. Only then does he finally eat his supper, and then he does so in mourning rather than joy. The life of an exile, he reflects, is full of sorrow.

But Tobit is not afraid. Even when his neighbors mock him and remind him of the danger he is courting, he is determined to do the right thing. He knows that there is really nothing to fear when he is obeying God, and he trusts that God will care for him no matter what.

Tuesday – Not Perfect

Yesterday we met the righteous Tobit who is determined to follow God's commandments even in the midst of exile. Today, however, we see another side of Tobit. He is, we discover, just like everyone else: human and therefore definitely not perfect.

First, Tobit makes a rather foolish decision that has some serious consequences. He falls asleep leaning up against a wall in his courtyard, a move which results in eyes filled with bird-dropping-related cataracts. This freak accident leads to four years of blindness for Tobit.

His wife, Anna, goes to work weaving cloth to make enough money to support the family, and she does such a good job that her employer gives her a young goat as a bonus. Tobit hears the goat and jumps to the worst possible conclusion, accusing his wife of stealing the animal. Anna protests her innocence, but Tobit refuses to believe her.

Anna becomes angry and, with some justification, asks her husband, “Where are your charitable deeds now? Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!”

Tobit may be a pretty good guy for the most part, but just like the rest of us, he is far from perfect.

Wednesday – Two Prayers

To his credit, Tobit immediately regrets his harsh words toward his wife. He bursts into tears and raises his prayer to God, repenting his sins and begging for death. He cries out to God, trust Him and placing himself in God's hands yet also asking God to take him away from his life of misery.

Meanwhile, many miles away, a young woman walks along the edge of despair. Sarah has had seven weddings, but every time a demon has killed her new husband on their wedding night. Now a maid has accused her of strangling those men. Sarah climbs up to the highest point of her house, intending to hang herself and escape her misery, but at the last moment, she has second thoughts. She doesn't want to cause her father grief, and deep down, she knows that killing herself is wrong. So she prays, intending to ask God to grant her a natural death.

Instead, though, Sarah opens her mouth and proclaims, “Blessed are You, O Lord, merciful God, and blessed is Your holy and honorable name. Blessed are You in all Your works for ever!”

God hears the prayers of both Tobit and Sarah. He hears, and He answers. The angel Raphael sets off to begin his healing mission.