TUESDAY OF WEEK 9 IN ORDINARY TIME - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our mind,
so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. EPH 1:17, 18

TOBIT 2:9-14 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Tobit was a righteous man. An exile who strove to keep the Law and obey all the commandments. He gave generously to the poor and was unafraid to do what was right even if meant being punished. The Law of the Lord was his refuge and strength, he was a man at peace because he had a clear conscience.

A season of trials is often the lot of those who strive after holiness. Those who are beloved of God, as we see in the life of Job and now in Tobit's, those who are good are not spared the cross. In fact, in Your wisdom O Lord, they are visited with many crosses over the course of their lives. This is the Way of God who tests us, purifies us, and strengthens us in virtue through the cross. They know that it is a privilege and a blessing to walk the way of Calvary for in the end, the great reward is death to self and a share in Your glorious resurrection.

Tobit whose eyes were blinded by the bird droppings that fell into them only got worse with the treatments and ointments prescribed by the doctors. His blindness lasted for four years. For a while, a brother provided for him until he had to leave and then his wife, Anna, sold cloth made from the wool she spun.  On one occasion,  after having been paid all that was owed to her, she was also given a kid. Tobit who was scrupulous made her return it to the owner, despite her protests, just in case there was a possibility that it may have been stolen. Stung at his criticism the poor woman retaliated saying, ‘What about your own alms? What about your own good works? Everyone knows what return you have had for them.’ 

Too often we are like her, we wish to see a return on our good works, when in truth, You remind us, that we have only done our duty. There is no bargaining with You, for we O Lord owe You everything while You owe us nothing even if we were to sacrifice all including our lives, for we would only have done our duty.

PSALM 111(112):1-2,7-9 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Today's psalm is a timely reminder of the joys and the rewards of living a life that is always pleasing to You. 

Too often, in our weakness, we allow the cares of the world, the weight of our problems, our worries, fears, and anxieties to crush our spirit and rob us of joy and peace.  However, if we remain in You and Your Word lives in us, we will experience peace even in the midst of the storms that rage around us. 

We need Your grace, we need Your wisdom, we need Your help to cling to You in perfect confidence and not give in to fear no matter what life throws at us. It isn't easy Beloved. But You never said it would be. Rather You have assured us that if we are yoked to You our burdens will become lighter for You will be right with us sharing the burden, comforting us, purifying us, and making us more and more like You.

In this life we will have seasons of sorrow and seasons of joy - we need the sorrow in order to keep us awake, aware, and alert as we navigate the perilous journey from this life to the life that awaits us where we will feast forever at Your banquet.

This is how one who trusts in You navigates life and experiences Your grace and Presence:

He has no fear of evil news;

with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes.

Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory.

With a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.