Homily
for June 8, 2017
If yesterday’s first reading
was all about pain and sorrow, then today is about joy, celebration and
intimacy. Behold Tobias, the son of Tobit being led by the Archangel Raphael
himself to visit his kinsman Raguel whose only daughter is Sarah.
Now, it was Archangel
Raphael himself who persuaded Tobias to marry Sarah saying that by so doing, he
would be the one to inherit all of Raguel’s property. And lo and behold,
without wasting time, the marriage was done that very day.
The part I like most about
this story is that even though Archangel Raphael never told Tobias that Sarah
had a history of losing her husbands on their wedding night, Tobias himself was
the one who remembered to ask Sarah to get up for prayer. He could have decided
to move into intimacy with her immediately but he was wise enough to pray
first.
It is quite touching to know
that despite the partying, the drinking, the dancing, the fun and all of what
goes along with feasting, Tobias did not forget to pray. You see, most of us
only remember to pray in moments of sorrow and pain. When things seem good
enough, we simply switch off our prayer alarm.
Imagine what would have
happened if Tobias like Sarah’s previous husbands did not go down on his knees
to pray that night? If we must pray when our eyes are red with tears, then let
us never forget to pray when our eyes are red with alcohol, laughter and
merriment because not all that glitters is gold.
Even in moments of
celebration, it is not all those who come around to laugh with you and cheer
you up that are really there for your good. In short, we can never do without
prayer. Prayer is the key!
We plead the blood of Jesus
against all those demons who cause division in marriages, make husband and wife
to quarrel or shorten the life of our beloved spouses. Amen. May no weapon
fashioned against us or against our joy ever succeed in Jesus Amen.
Marriage is beautiful. It is
the best atmosphere where a man and woman can express their total and complete
love for one another in fulfilment of the commandment of God to love our
neighbours as ourselves as Jesus affirms in today’s Gospel passage.
It is quite sad to see that
the marital union which ought to be the highest expression of love has become a
place of hate, suspicion, distress and war today. If you are getting more of
hate than love in your marriage, then something is wrong somewhere, but then,
just know that prayer is the Key!
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, even
in moments of joy, may I never forget to pray. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 9th
Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Tobit 6:10-11,7:9-14,8:4-9 and Mark 12:28-34).*
Fr. Abu.
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