Blessed be God, and praise his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels!

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our first reading we hear the continuing story of Tobit and the healing of his eyes, thanks to the archangel Raphael. It was through Raphael that Tobit was healed, and that Tobiah found his wife, Sarah.

Earlier in the week, we heard how Tobit, while in his courtyard, was blinded by the dropping onto his eyes from the birds just above him. He was blinded for four years. Even during this affliction and suffering, Tobit remained faithful to God and prayed constantly for healing from Him. No matter how frustrated Tobit got with his blindness, he never lost his faith in God.

We also heard of Sarah, the daughter of Raquel, and her faith in God. She was married several times but became widowed each time. Her pain was truly great, and she turned to the Lord to bring her peace and to send a husband to bring her gladness and joy.

Hearing both the prayers of Tobit and of Sarah, God sent the angel Raphael to bring healing to Tobit and joy and happiness to Sarah. After Tobiah and Sarah were married, they returned to his father Tobit and his mother, Anna. Then using the medicine given to him by the angel, Raphael, Tobiah administered it to Tobit’s eyes, and Tobit was cured.

These examples of faith in God, even in the most difficult of times, can be an example of how we should live out our lives. Due to the human condition and our weaknesses, there will always be trouble or illness. But we are called to be God-centered in all the troubles of our lives. Earlier in the book of Tobit, he prays, “Lord, command me to be delivered from such anguish.” (Tobit 3:6) He was praying for death, but the Lord had other plans for him and was able to bring him the healing of his eyes, and to see the joy of his son, Tobiah, being married to Sarah.

In all our cares and concerns, we can, like Tobit, place our troubles into the loving hands of God, “Lord, command me to be delivered from anguish.” Tobit was giving up hope, but God was merciful and granted him healing. We are called to never give up hope that God is with us, even in the most difficult of times. We are to trust that God will be with us and will always answer our prayers in the way that is best for us.

Tobit gave praise to God by proclaiming to his neighbors how God had mercifully restored sight to his eyes. Let us, like Tobit and his new daughter-in-law, remain faithful to God, even in times of trouble. God will be with us to grant the healing we need, and the peace that can only come from the loving hands of God. Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever.