Daily Retreat 06/08/07
2007 Jun 8 Fri
Tb 11:5-17/Ps 145(146):1b-2. 6c-7. 8-9a. 9bc-10/Mk 12:35-37
From today's readings: "Blessed be God, and praised be His great Name, and blessed be all His holy angels.... Praise the Lord, my soul!... How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David?"
Homecoming
Like all parents missing their children, Tobit and Anna rejoice to welcome their absent son back home. Tobias had actually only been gone from home a number of weeks, but the dangers of travel and uncertainties of communication at that time made Tobit and Anna exceedingly worried about their son's safety (cf. Chapter 10). But not only does he return safe and sound, and with mission accomplished - beyond all hope and expectation, Tobias also brings the healing remedy for Tobit's blindness, plus the news of his "made in Heaven" marriage to Sarah!
The happiness of any homecoming offers a foretaste of the joy that we hope for in the heavenly homecoming. But just as Tobit and Anna didn't even imagine what a wonderful welcome there would be when their son Tobias returned, so we too are generally more than a bit short-sighted when it comes to watching out for our final destination.
We need to be particularly meditative about everything the Bible reveals about Heaven. In His commentary on the scribes' reading of scripture, Jesus explains how scripture reveals, not less, but more than is seen at first glance. The coming Messiah was prophesied to be a son in the line of King David, but David himself recognized the promised Messiah as "my Lord," viz., more than just a majestic human descendent. Although only hinted at in the Gospel of Mark, the Incarnation of Christ establishes why He is indeed both "son" and "Lord" of David (genealogical details provided by St. Matthew at the beginning of his Gospel are especially enlightening). Today, no less than long ago, the Word of God is to be welcomed with great delight!
Tb 11:5-17/Ps 145(146):1b-2. 6c-7. 8-9a. 9bc-10/Mk 12:35-37
From today's readings: "Blessed be God, and praised be His great Name, and blessed be all His holy angels.... Praise the Lord, my soul!... How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David?"
Homecoming
Like all parents missing their children, Tobit and Anna rejoice to welcome their absent son back home. Tobias had actually only been gone from home a number of weeks, but the dangers of travel and uncertainties of communication at that time made Tobit and Anna exceedingly worried about their son's safety (cf. Chapter 10). But not only does he return safe and sound, and with mission accomplished - beyond all hope and expectation, Tobias also brings the healing remedy for Tobit's blindness, plus the news of his "made in Heaven" marriage to Sarah!
The happiness of any homecoming offers a foretaste of the joy that we hope for in the heavenly homecoming. But just as Tobit and Anna didn't even imagine what a wonderful welcome there would be when their son Tobias returned, so we too are generally more than a bit short-sighted when it comes to watching out for our final destination.
We need to be particularly meditative about everything the Bible reveals about Heaven. In His commentary on the scribes' reading of scripture, Jesus explains how scripture reveals, not less, but more than is seen at first glance. The coming Messiah was prophesied to be a son in the line of King David, but David himself recognized the promised Messiah as "my Lord," viz., more than just a majestic human descendent. Although only hinted at in the Gospel of Mark, the Incarnation of Christ establishes why He is indeed both "son" and "Lord" of David (genealogical details provided by St. Matthew at the beginning of his Gospel are especially enlightening). Today, no less than long ago, the Word of God is to be welcomed with great delight!
posted by FrPitstick | 6/07/2007
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