Wednesday, 7th June 2023. Read Tobit 3:1-11,16-17, Ps. 25:2-9, Mark 12:18-27
“Then with much grief and anguish of heart, I wept, and with groaning, began to pray.” (Tobit 3:1)
Today’s First Reading continues the story of Tobit. He was a righteous and God-fearing man who diligently carried out the corporal works of mercy, yet, he was blind. Like the case of Job, the story of Tobit shows us that bad things happen to good people, also.
One day, Tobit’s wife, Anna, returned with a goat, and he insisted she must return it because he thought the goat was stolen. In anger, Anna made a mockery of his charities and good deeds. The closer a person is to you, the more painful their words are. As the Psalmist puts it: “Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted the heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9). Tobit was overtaken by grief; he wept bitterly and began to pray.
While Tobit was grieving, another woman felt pain because of the harsh words spoken to her. Sarah had been married seven times, but none of her husbands survived the wedding night because the wicked demon Asmodeus killed them. One of her father’s maids said: “Your husbands are dead. Go with them. May we never see a son or daughter of yours.” Sarah wanted to commit suicide but had a rethink; she knelt to pray.
Ending your life does not solve any problem; it only gives your enemies a chance to celebrate. We all experience sad and painful moments, but the key to victory is prayer. Surrender your problems to God, and He will not disappoint you. Sing: “Leave it for God, don’t worry yourself, leave it for God, don’t cry anymore. He understands what you are going through. Let Him defend His name.”
Sarah’s experience shows us that demons exist; they are powerful, but God is more powerful. Jesus said: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes away his armour, which he trusted, and divides his plunder.” (Luke 11:21-22). God heard the prayer of Tobit and Sarah that night, and He sent Angel Raphael to them. Be kind to people because it is not everybody you see that is a human being (Cf. Hebrew 13:2)
Like Sarah, who lost her seven husbands, the Sadducees, intending to prove that there is no resurrection from the dead, brought to Jesus a hypothetical case of a woman who married seven times and all seven husbands died without leaving a single child. They asked Jesus: “Which of them will be her husband at the resurrection?” Jesus said to them: “… For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. … He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.” (Mark 12:24-27)
There is life after death; we shall be like the angels in that life. This is another reason we shall not let our sorrows overwhelm us. This world is not our final destination. No matter what you are going through today, know that it will surely pass one day. Surrender your cares to God and pray. His ears are not deaf, nor are His eyes blind to see you. Don’t end your life. Trust God to fight for you.
Let us pray: Almighty
Ever-Living God, when my eyes become red with tears when I am insulted, humiliated
or falsely accused, come to my rescue. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 9 in Ordinary Time, Bible Study: Tobit 3:1-11,16-17, Ps. 25:2-9, Mark 12:18-27)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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