Readings for Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a
When the angel Raphael and Tobiah had entered Media
and were getting close to Ecbatana,
Raphael said to the boy,
"Tobiah, my brother!"
He replied: "Here I am!"
He said: "Tonight we must stay with Raguel, who is a relative of yours.
He has a daughter named Sarah."
So he brought him to the house of Raguel,
whom they found seated by his courtyard gate.
They greeted him first.
He said to them, "Greetings to you too, brothers!
Good health to you, and welcome!"
And he brought them into his home.
Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flock
and gave them a cordial reception.
When they had bathed and reclined to eat, Tobiah said to Raphael,
"Brother Azariah, ask Raguel to let me marry
my kinswoman Sarah."
Raguel overheard the words; so he said to the boy:
"Eat and drink and be merry tonight,
for no man is more entitled
to marry my daughter Sarah than you, brother.
Besides, not even I have the right to give her to anyone but you,
because you are my closest relative.
But I will explain the situation to you very frankly.
I have given her in marriage to seven men,
all of whom were kinsmen of ours,
and all died on the very night they approached her.
But now, son, eat and drink.
I am sure the Lord will look after you both."
Tobiah answered,
"I will eat or drink nothing until you set aside what belongs to me."
Raguel said to him: "I will do it.
She is yours according to the decree of the Book of Moses.
Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven!
Take your kinswoman;
from now on you are her love, and she is your beloved.
She is yours today and ever after.
And tonight, son, may the Lord of heaven prosper you both.
May he grant you mercy and peace."
Then Raguel called his daughter Sarah, and she came to him.
He took her by the hand and gave her to Tobiah with the words:
"Take her according to the law.
According to the decree written in the Book of Moses
she is your wife.
Take her and bring her back safely to your father.
And may the God of heaven grant both of you peace and prosperity."
Raguel then called Sarah's mother and told her to bring a scroll,
so that he might draw up a marriage contract
stating that he gave Sarah to Tobiah as his wife
according to the decree of the Mosaic law.
Her mother brought the scroll,
and Raguel drew up the contract, to which they affixed their seals.
Afterward they began to eat and drink.
Later Raguel called his wife Edna and said,
"My love, prepare the other bedroom and bring the girl there."
She went and made the bed in the room, as she was told,
and brought the girl there.
After she had cried over her, she wiped away the tears and said:
"Be brave, my daughter.
May the Lord grant you joy in place of your grief.
Courage, my daughter."
Then she left.
When the girl's parents left the bedroom
and closed the door behind them,
Tobiah arose from bed and said to his wife,
"My love, get up.
Let us pray and beg our Lord to have mercy on us
and to grant us deliverance."
She got up, and they started to pray
and beg that deliverance might be theirs.
And they began to say:
"Blessed are you, O God of our fathers,
praised be your name forever and ever.
Let the heavens and all your creation
praise you forever.
You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve
to be his help and support;
and from these two the human race descended.
You said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone;
let us make him a partner like himself.'
Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine
not because of lust,
but for a noble purpose.
Call down your mercy on me and on her,
and allow us to live together to a happy old age."
They said together, "Amen, amen," and went to bed for the night.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Tb 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a
This is the story of Tobiah, Tobit’s son (or Tobias in other translations). He and the Archangel Raphael come to the place where Sarah and her family live. We see that the Jewish customs related to marriage are followed. The warning about what has happened to Sarah’s seven previous husbands on their wedding night is delivered but this union is ordained by God and so we see it contracted and consummated, the latter with prayer for deliverance which concludes the reading today.
Excluded from the story were Raphael’s instructions (somewhat mystical regarding the use of a fish liver and gall) and the Archangels victory over the demon that had killed Sarah’s seven previous husbands. While this all seems fanciful, it is clear that prayer and divine intervention are the keys to Tobiah’s and Sarah’s successful marriage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. (see 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
Blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Psalem 128 is an individual lament. In these strophes it reemphasizes the tenet of our faith regarding the need for faith in God in the marital union.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
"Which is the first of all the commandments?"
Jesus replied, "The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these."
The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 12:28-34
In the continuing dialogue with the Sadducees from the Gospel of St. Mark we find the questioner is impressed with the way Jesus handled the previous challenge by his colleagues (found in the previous verses). The Lord answers his question about the law with the Great Commandment, first with the opening of the Shema, the great Jewish Prayer and then he follows that statement with the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. When the scholar clearly understands what Jesus is saying, the Lord tells him he is not far from the Kingdom of God.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
“The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.”[4]
This quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) takes its foundation from the scripture provided today. The union of man and wife, sharing their love for one another and sharing with each other the love of God, forms a three way union that is unbreakable. When it is thought of in these terms, it is easy to see why the Church, in her wisdom, has perceived that, as the ritual of marriage states, “So then, what God has united, man must not divide” (Mark 10: 9).
This understanding has ironically driven many away from the Church. It has been a constant source of confusion, primarily because in addition to the sacramental bond witnessed by the Church, there is also a wedding license issued by the governmental agency that establishes a civil contract.
When a couple, however well intentioned at the onset, discovers that the sacramental bond described in the CCC and in scripture is found not to have existed, (and this is important: because if it had it could not have been broken - reference the quote from Mark 10 above), they file for divorce which nullifies the civil contract. However, the Church witnessed, before her altar, the pledge of love and the assurance of the couple that the sacramental bond existed. The civil proceeding that dissolves the contract between the couple does not address the spiritual union witnessed by the couple.
In the eyes of the Church, that bond still exists. The love of God is unbreakable. This is why each diocese has a Marriage Tribunal to investigate cases where the couple claims the sacramental bond did not exist. Does that mean the couple was never married? No, a civil contract was signed, the couple was, under civil law married and children born into that union have legal status under the law. What it does mean is, until appropriate proofs are provided; the Church does not concede the sacramental bond did not exist from the beginning.
In cases where the couple has received a civil divorce but not satisfied the Church that the sacrament did not exist (The Church once satisfied will provide a Certificate of Nullity), they are not free to enter into another marital relationship until such certificates are issued. Does this mean the couple who have now separated may not receive other sacraments in the Church? No, so long as they are properly disposed to receive other sacraments, the love of God and the graces given in these sacraments may be received.
We rejoice in the love God shows us. In a special way we rejoice in the image of that love reflected in couples living the sacramental life in marriage. We pray for all who have entered into this unshakable bond that they continue to be a blessing to the Church and to all they meet.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used is “Tobias with the Angel Raphael” by Pietro Perugino, 1500-05
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[4] Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1661
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a
When the angel Raphael and Tobiah had entered Media
and were getting close to Ecbatana,
Raphael said to the boy,
"Tobiah, my brother!"
He replied: "Here I am!"
He said: "Tonight we must stay with Raguel, who is a relative of yours.
He has a daughter named Sarah."
So he brought him to the house of Raguel,
whom they found seated by his courtyard gate.
They greeted him first.
He said to them, "Greetings to you too, brothers!
Good health to you, and welcome!"
And he brought them into his home.
Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flock
and gave them a cordial reception.
When they had bathed and reclined to eat, Tobiah said to Raphael,
"Brother Azariah, ask Raguel to let me marry
my kinswoman Sarah."
Raguel overheard the words; so he said to the boy:
"Eat and drink and be merry tonight,
for no man is more entitled
to marry my daughter Sarah than you, brother.
Besides, not even I have the right to give her to anyone but you,
because you are my closest relative.
But I will explain the situation to you very frankly.
I have given her in marriage to seven men,
all of whom were kinsmen of ours,
and all died on the very night they approached her.
But now, son, eat and drink.
I am sure the Lord will look after you both."
Tobiah answered,
"I will eat or drink nothing until you set aside what belongs to me."
Raguel said to him: "I will do it.
She is yours according to the decree of the Book of Moses.
Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven!
Take your kinswoman;
from now on you are her love, and she is your beloved.
She is yours today and ever after.
And tonight, son, may the Lord of heaven prosper you both.
May he grant you mercy and peace."
Then Raguel called his daughter Sarah, and she came to him.
He took her by the hand and gave her to Tobiah with the words:
"Take her according to the law.
According to the decree written in the Book of Moses
she is your wife.
Take her and bring her back safely to your father.
And may the God of heaven grant both of you peace and prosperity."
Raguel then called Sarah's mother and told her to bring a scroll,
so that he might draw up a marriage contract
stating that he gave Sarah to Tobiah as his wife
according to the decree of the Mosaic law.
Her mother brought the scroll,
and Raguel drew up the contract, to which they affixed their seals.
Afterward they began to eat and drink.
Later Raguel called his wife Edna and said,
"My love, prepare the other bedroom and bring the girl there."
She went and made the bed in the room, as she was told,
and brought the girl there.
After she had cried over her, she wiped away the tears and said:
"Be brave, my daughter.
May the Lord grant you joy in place of your grief.
Courage, my daughter."
Then she left.
When the girl's parents left the bedroom
and closed the door behind them,
Tobiah arose from bed and said to his wife,
"My love, get up.
Let us pray and beg our Lord to have mercy on us
and to grant us deliverance."
She got up, and they started to pray
and beg that deliverance might be theirs.
And they began to say:
"Blessed are you, O God of our fathers,
praised be your name forever and ever.
Let the heavens and all your creation
praise you forever.
You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve
to be his help and support;
and from these two the human race descended.
You said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone;
let us make him a partner like himself.'
Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine
not because of lust,
but for a noble purpose.
Call down your mercy on me and on her,
and allow us to live together to a happy old age."
They said together, "Amen, amen," and went to bed for the night.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Tb 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a
This is the story of Tobiah, Tobit’s son (or Tobias in other translations). He and the Archangel Raphael come to the place where Sarah and her family live. We see that the Jewish customs related to marriage are followed. The warning about what has happened to Sarah’s seven previous husbands on their wedding night is delivered but this union is ordained by God and so we see it contracted and consummated, the latter with prayer for deliverance which concludes the reading today.
Excluded from the story were Raphael’s instructions (somewhat mystical regarding the use of a fish liver and gall) and the Archangels victory over the demon that had killed Sarah’s seven previous husbands. While this all seems fanciful, it is clear that prayer and divine intervention are the keys to Tobiah’s and Sarah’s successful marriage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. (see 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
Blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Psalem 128 is an individual lament. In these strophes it reemphasizes the tenet of our faith regarding the need for faith in God in the marital union.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
"Which is the first of all the commandments?"
Jesus replied, "The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these."
The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 12:28-34
In the continuing dialogue with the Sadducees from the Gospel of St. Mark we find the questioner is impressed with the way Jesus handled the previous challenge by his colleagues (found in the previous verses). The Lord answers his question about the law with the Great Commandment, first with the opening of the Shema, the great Jewish Prayer and then he follows that statement with the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. When the scholar clearly understands what Jesus is saying, the Lord tells him he is not far from the Kingdom of God.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
“The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.”[4]
This quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) takes its foundation from the scripture provided today. The union of man and wife, sharing their love for one another and sharing with each other the love of God, forms a three way union that is unbreakable. When it is thought of in these terms, it is easy to see why the Church, in her wisdom, has perceived that, as the ritual of marriage states, “So then, what God has united, man must not divide” (Mark 10: 9).
This understanding has ironically driven many away from the Church. It has been a constant source of confusion, primarily because in addition to the sacramental bond witnessed by the Church, there is also a wedding license issued by the governmental agency that establishes a civil contract.
When a couple, however well intentioned at the onset, discovers that the sacramental bond described in the CCC and in scripture is found not to have existed, (and this is important: because if it had it could not have been broken - reference the quote from Mark 10 above), they file for divorce which nullifies the civil contract. However, the Church witnessed, before her altar, the pledge of love and the assurance of the couple that the sacramental bond existed. The civil proceeding that dissolves the contract between the couple does not address the spiritual union witnessed by the couple.
In the eyes of the Church, that bond still exists. The love of God is unbreakable. This is why each diocese has a Marriage Tribunal to investigate cases where the couple claims the sacramental bond did not exist. Does that mean the couple was never married? No, a civil contract was signed, the couple was, under civil law married and children born into that union have legal status under the law. What it does mean is, until appropriate proofs are provided; the Church does not concede the sacramental bond did not exist from the beginning.
In cases where the couple has received a civil divorce but not satisfied the Church that the sacrament did not exist (The Church once satisfied will provide a Certificate of Nullity), they are not free to enter into another marital relationship until such certificates are issued. Does this mean the couple who have now separated may not receive other sacraments in the Church? No, so long as they are properly disposed to receive other sacraments, the love of God and the graces given in these sacraments may be received.
We rejoice in the love God shows us. In a special way we rejoice in the image of that love reflected in couples living the sacramental life in marriage. We pray for all who have entered into this unshakable bond that they continue to be a blessing to the Church and to all they meet.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used is “Tobias with the Angel Raphael” by Pietro Perugino, 1500-05
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[4] Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1661
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