(Optional Memorial for the Memorial of Saint Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor of the Church)
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| “Tobias Healing the Blindness of His Father” by Gioachino Assereto, 1626-36 |
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Tobit 11:5-17
Commentary on Tb 11:5-17
As the story of Tobit continues, Tobiah, Tobit’s son, had completed the task for which he was sent to Media. He had recovered the money Tobit had deposited there before their exile, and, in addition, he had married Sarah. We see that Tobit’s first reaction, like that of his son and Sarah, was to thank God and praise him for his help. In the prayer of Tobit we find a formula for praise and thanksgiving.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:1b-2, 6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 146:1b-2, 6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Supporting Tobit’s prayer of thanksgiving (Tobit 11:14-15) we hear similar themes in Psalm 146. Specifically, we find praise for God who “gives sight to the blind” and “raises up those who are bowed down.”
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Gospel: Mark 12:35-37
Commentary on Mk 12:35-37
It is now Jesus’ turn to question the Pharisees. He asks them who the Messiah will be to which they answer that he will be a son of David (of the lineage of David). Jesus then, while not denying their statement (as he is from the line of David), tells them, quoting Psalm 110:1, that David called the Messiah “Lord” and would he do that to his own offspring? In other words, the Messiah would be more than just true man, he would be true God as well existing before David and with David.
CCC: Mk 12:35-37 202
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Reflection:
We have been following the story of Tobit for the past several days and the tale is engrossing. The constant theme is “Whatever good is accomplished through man’s effort comes as a blessing from God.” Today we hear about the return of his son Tobiah (Tobias). He comes, accompanied by the Archangel Raphael who has helped, protected and guided him through the perils of his journey. Does Tobit, his father praise him (Tobiah)? No, he thanks God for the return of his son whom he clearly loves. Then he goes on to praise God for delivering him from the darkness of his blindness and the great favor he has shown to Tobit and his family. He also accepts the trials he has been put through as a chastisement from God.
We have developed an understanding of the Lord that Tobit could not (we have Jesus, the Messiah, he did not). We understand that the unfortunate events that overtake people are not “caused” by God to punish, but rather the result of choices made by people, or physical developments caused by our environment.
While we have moved past the Old Testament understanding of God as the punisher of the wicked, we do understand even more clearly what Tobit did not have. Because the Lord, the Messiah, came later, Tobit did not see that God, who is loving and merciful, supports, protects and guides us. We do not have physical contact with an Archangel as Tobiah did, but the Holy Spirit left to us by Christ himself and given individually in Baptism is a strength we all share. As we review our own lives and the blessings that we have not earned but nonetheless have been given to us, let us, like Tobit, praise God for his generosity and love and thank his Only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ for the revelation of the Father’s great love for us.
Pax
[1] The picture used is “Tobias Healing the Blindness of His Father” by Gioachino Assereto, 1626-36
[2] S.S.Commemoratio
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