A Reflection on the book of Tobit

By Lou Occhi

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060521.cfm
Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20
Mark 12:38-44

Normally when I look at the readings for writing my reflection, I try to find a common link. Today’s readings, first from Tobit and then the gospel both talk about alms giving. Every parish I have ever been a member gives at least one Sermon on the Amount each year. So, there is no point in talking about that today. Instead, I will talk about the book of Tobit.

Tobit is one of the books in the Catholic Old Testament not included in the Protestant Old Testament. There was no definitive set of book for the Jewish bible until late in the second century AD. There was a set of books, called the Septuagint, written in Alexandria, Egypt for Greek speaking Jews. This set started in the third century BC and was completed in 132 BC. There was also a “Palestinian canon,” written in Hebrew, used within Israel and was completed in the second century AD. When St. Jerome published the Vulgate in 390 AD it became the earliest Christian translation of the Bible and it incorporated the Septuagint version of the Old Testament. During the 16th Century Martin Luther translated the bible into German and used the “Palestinian canon” for the Old Testament. There were more books in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament than in the “Palestinian canon.” This is why there are more Old Testament books in the Catholic version of the Bible.

Tobit is, basically, a short story about Tobit and his son Tobias and their struggles. We do not know the author of Tobit. We believe the story is a novella and we do accept it as divinely inspired. Many of the Jewish customs, traditions and morality are portrayed in the story. Unfortunately, todays reading is near the end of the story and it does not give you any background. I will give you the reader’s digest version of the book. I would recommend that you read the entire story later on.

Tobit, who was in exile in northern Israel, had been deported to Nineveh. There he experienced a string of misfortunes. He had large financial losses. One night, while sleeping outside, droppings from a bird’s nest fell into his eyes and blinded him. Because of his financial losses and his blindness, he prayed that the Lord would take him. At the same time, a woman named Sarah was also praying for death because she had lost seven husbands on her wedding night. Each killed by a demon named Asmodeus in the bridal chamber. God hears their prayers and sends the angel Raphael in human form to aid them both.

Tobit recalled that he had a large sum of money deposited in Medes. He tells his son Tobias go and retrieve his deposit. Tobias tells Tobit that he has no idea where to go, but Tobit insists he go and gives him a document validating his deposit. Tobias went out looking for a young man to help him on his journey. He runs into Raphael and asks him if he knows his way around Medes. Raphael tells him he is very familiar with Medes and knows the way. So, with his father’s blessing, Tobias leaves for Medes along with Raphael. 

On the way, Tobias is sitting by a river when a large fish comes out of the water and tries to bite Tobias. Raphael tells Tobias to grab the fish by its gills and pull it out of the water. Then he tells Tobias to cut out its heart, liver and gall because they are useful. The fish is then used as a source of food on their journey. When they reach Medes, Raphael tells Tobias that they will stay with a man named Raguel who is from the same tribe as Tobias’ family. Raphael goes on to tell Tobias that Raguel has an only child, Sarah, and that he should ask Raguel for permission to marry her. Tobias objected because he knew that she had been given to seven husband and they all died. Raphael tells him those deaths were the fault of an evil demon. He goes on to tell Tobias that he should burn a little piece of the fishes heart to drive the demon away and burn the fishes liver to act as a form of incense. He should also pray with Sarah for three days before consummating the marriage.

When the reach Raguel’s house they are greeted as members of the family. Tobias asks Raguel to take Sarah as his wife. Raguel tries to talk Tobias out of the marriage but Tobias persists. Finally, Raguel submits even though he believes that Tobias will not survive the wedding night. Tobias along with Sarah burn the fish’sheart and liver. They then pray together for three days. On the evening of the third day Tobias and Sarah enter into their marriage. Raguel orders one of his servants to go out and dig a grave for Tobias. In the morning, he is informed that Tobias is still alive. Raguel then tells his servant to go fill the grave before Tobias sees it.

Eventually Tobias retrieves the money owed his father and returns home with his wife. Raphael then instructs Tobias to rub the gall from the fish on his father’s eyes. This causes the scales on Tobias eyes to fall off and his vision is restored.

This brings us to today’s reading. Tobit instructs Tobias to pay Raphael all that is owed him and to give him a bonus for his good work. Raphael then tells them that he is an angel sent from God because of the faith and integrity of the family. Now that his mission is accomplished he will return to God in heaven.

So, what is the point of this cute tale? It is that God knows us better than we know our own children. In the story He knew Tobit, Tobias and Sarah and knew their individual problems. He knew Tobit was in dire financial difficulties. He knew that Tobias had no idea where to go and how he would ask a stranger for money that was due his father. He knew that Sarah wanted to die because an evil being was killing each man that she was to marry. 

When we were conceived the DNA of our parents combined to form our mortal human body. At that same moment in time, our Father in heaven infused their child with a unique immortal soul. God tells Jeremiah in 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” Since time for God is simply NOW, that means that God knew who we would be from the beginning of time. In John 19:11 Jesus answers Pilate. “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” Pilate was born to be where he was at that particular time. Jesus even gave him a loophole to excuse him of what he was about to do. From that point on, the path Pilate would choose to take was completely up to him.

When I pray I am confident that God hears me. I mean, I know He hears me, but how does He hear the millions of others praying at the same time and believing that God hears each of them. It is beyond my comprehension, but then again, I did not create the universe and all things in it.

Also, the angel Raphael, is sent to help Tobit, Tobias and Sarah. This is another allusion to the idea of a guardian angel. On several occasions I have had close calls and I am sure my guardian angel was involved in protecting me. Once my mom asked me to go pick up a couple of things at the quick shop. I hoped on my bike and headed out the driveway when suddenly I forgot what I was supposed to get. I stopped to recall my shopping list. As I did a 4 thousand volt power line fell to the ground right where I would have been had I continued going. I do not believe it was a coincidence. 

Just as in Tobit’s case, we are in God’s hands and He is ready to help us. That does not mean that we will not suffer difficulties in our short lives, but we need to recognize that God loves us beyond measure. As long as we believe there is always hope.