Daily Retreat 06/04/07
2007 Jun 4 Mon (Ninth Week in Ordinary Time)
Tb 1:3; 2:1a-8/Ps 111(112):1b-2. 3b-4. 5-6/Mk 12:1-12
From today's readings: "I, Tobit, have walked all the days of my life on the paths of truth and righteousness. I performed many charitable works for my kinsmen and my people who had been deported with me to Nineveh, in Assyria.... Blessed the man who fears the Lord.... He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'"
Biblical Family Ties
The wisdom of Sirach and other books of the Bible (especially Genesis) stress the communal bonds of the whole of mankind, since God is the creator of all. But while not denying this unity of humanity, many of the Old Testament books focus more narrowly on the importance of family (and tribal) loyalty and harmony. This is clearly the case, for instance, in the book of Tobit (omitted in Protestant bibles), with its intriguing narration tracing the development of a network of familial relationships while showing how faith is meant to be integrated and God recognized and faithfully embraced in each of those relationships.
The fourteen chapters of the book of Tobit are an easy read, but if you just limit yourself to the lectionary selections, the story will be harder to follow....
Tobit, for whom the book is named, was a pious old man living with his family in Nineveh along with other deported Jews. His commitment to almsgiving and observance of God's law are particularly exemplary in the "hardship setting" of the exile, when many people felt entitled to dispensations because of threats or ridicule from the ruling Ninevites. Indeed, Tobit's piety in burying the dead in the past had almost cost him his life (cf. 1:18-20), but unintimidated in his faith, Tobit continues undaunted in his works of mercy and righteousness. However, in spite of his unquenchable charity and faithfulness, Tobit is faced with hardships and suffering, and so, like the book of Job, the story of Tobit and his family also becomes a reflection on how people of faith can confront the Problem of Evil by committing to righteousness even when it doesn't lead to immediate rewards.
Tb 1:3; 2:1a-8/Ps 111(112):1b-2. 3b-4. 5-6/Mk 12:1-12
From today's readings: "I, Tobit, have walked all the days of my life on the paths of truth and righteousness. I performed many charitable works for my kinsmen and my people who had been deported with me to Nineveh, in Assyria.... Blessed the man who fears the Lord.... He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'"
Biblical Family Ties
The wisdom of Sirach and other books of the Bible (especially Genesis) stress the communal bonds of the whole of mankind, since God is the creator of all. But while not denying this unity of humanity, many of the Old Testament books focus more narrowly on the importance of family (and tribal) loyalty and harmony. This is clearly the case, for instance, in the book of Tobit (omitted in Protestant bibles), with its intriguing narration tracing the development of a network of familial relationships while showing how faith is meant to be integrated and God recognized and faithfully embraced in each of those relationships.
The fourteen chapters of the book of Tobit are an easy read, but if you just limit yourself to the lectionary selections, the story will be harder to follow....
Tobit, for whom the book is named, was a pious old man living with his family in Nineveh along with other deported Jews. His commitment to almsgiving and observance of God's law are particularly exemplary in the "hardship setting" of the exile, when many people felt entitled to dispensations because of threats or ridicule from the ruling Ninevites. Indeed, Tobit's piety in burying the dead in the past had almost cost him his life (cf. 1:18-20), but unintimidated in his faith, Tobit continues undaunted in his works of mercy and righteousness. However, in spite of his unquenchable charity and faithfulness, Tobit is faced with hardships and suffering, and so, like the book of Job, the story of Tobit and his family also becomes a reflection on how people of faith can confront the Problem of Evil by committing to righteousness even when it doesn't lead to immediate rewards.
posted by FrPitstick | 6/03/2007
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