THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Friday of ninth week in Ordinary time, 2021

Tobit 11:5-15

Ps 146

Mark 12:35-37

Blessed be God…

Dear friends in Christ, as a people of faith, no matter what the situation may have been and what we have been through, the end point is celebrated with the praise of God.

In our first reading of today (Tobit 11:5-15), we see the return of Tobias home, who had been on a journey accompanied by an Angel. (Angel Raphael was unknown to them at the time) In the hands of Tobias was the medicine that will heal the blindness of Tobit and of course the journey also yielded fruits in the sense of the money he went to collect and still the fact that he got a woman he will marry. This homecoming led to the healing of Tobit, an embrace of his son and a burst of joy, “Here I see my son, the light of my eyes!” There are too many people who do not see anything good in the challenges they face in life. There are those who would rather just wish such away, and others who spend their entire life regretting their trials rather than learn the lessons and move on. The story of Tobit teaches us that we can actually look beyond the rough patches of life with thanksgiving, “Blessed be God, and blessed be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. May his holy name be blessed throughout the ages. Though he afflicted me, he has had mercy on me. Now I see my son Tobias!” In Luke 1:68ff we have the canticle of Zechariah who sang, “Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, he has visited his people and redeemed them.” In it Zechariah celebrates the God who's saves by raising up someone from the stump of David and sending his own offspring as a forerunner of the Messiah.

Like Tobit, we have many things for which we must continue to give thanks. Rather than shop for magical experiences, sleeping and waking is a miracle worthy of celebration. Going out and returning is a miracle; having one’s daily meal is a miracle; the ability to breathe normally is a miracle. It’s a miracle to do anything you count normal without someone else’s assistance. Sometimes you need to take a fish out of water for it to appreciate how important the normal environment is. What you take for granted is a big deal to someone else. Be grateful always for everything.

Let us pray: Lord, we give you thanks with a grateful heart, for all of your goodness and kindness. Keep us mindful of the small events, that we might be grateful in the big ones. Amen. 

+Remain blessed