Homily: Ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time

Ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time (Tobit 6:10ff) “Saved by an Angel and a fish”

Tobiah was a fearless young man. He travels to his relative’s house in Ecbatana to seek monetary assistance for his family. We read a shortened version of the story today. Some interesting details are left out.

One detail that is left out is that Tobiah picks up a traveling companion on the journey. The Archangel Raphael starts to walk along with him. He asks about his problems, and he helps the young man. Raphael is the Archangel known as God’s remedy. Whenever we are sick, we can ask for this angel’s intercession. I asked for Raphael’s intercession when a dear friend was sick. I also asked for the Archangel’s intercession when the pandemic was at its height. I drew great spiritual comfort from this.

Another part of the story that is omitted is the fact that the angel instructs Tobiah to catch a fish as they make their journey. Tobiah does catch a fish. This fish provides powerful medicine. When Tobiah goes in the bridal chamber Tobiah burns its heart and liver and the demon that possesses Sarah is driven away and they are protected on the wedding night. Tobiah is not killed like the seven husbands that have come before him.

When Tobiah arrives home Raphael tells him to rub oil from the fish into his father’s eyes. Immediately the blindness is cured. Tobit regains his sight. God answers the petitions of Tobit and Sarah through the work of the Archangel Raphael.

We are reminded of the power of prayer. The prayer that Tobiah utters on his wedding night thanking God for his new wife is a beautiful prayer and a wonderful reflection on the marriage bond. Tobiah gives praise to God for the great gift of marriage. He considers himself undeserving of so great a blessing. All married couples can benefit from reflecting on the Book of Tobit.

          Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I read the book of Tobit before? This part of the apocryphal scriptures. What does that mean?

2.   Can this Book of the Bible be found in a Protestant Bible? If not, why not?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Bishop Lou is going to remind us of the importance of receiving the Eucharist under both species this Sunday. It is the Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Notice it is not just the Feast of the Body of the Lord, but of the Body and Blood of the Lord. It is true that when we receive the host, we believe that this is a valid reception of the Eucharist. When we receive just from the cup, we believe the same thing. But the fullest experience is receiving both.

           We had communion under both species before COVID but this was suspended the last few years. We would like to try to return to our former practice. This Sunday we will be having communion under both species at our 11 a.m. Mass. We will expand slowly from there. We will need to recruit ministers and review our practices.

          My Our Lady pray for the people of Ukraine who face new dangers.

          Fr. Mark