~~~Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr~~~
~~~ Tobit 1:3; 2:1A-8 ~~~ Psalm 112 ~~~ Mark 12:1-12 ~~~
~~~ Tobit 1:3; 2:1A-8 ~~~ Psalm 112 ~~~ Mark 12:1-12 ~~~
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Tobit had fear of the Lord when the people thought
he should have fear of them.
He tended to the dead man who was left
to rot along the side of the road.
Tobit mourned the lack of care and concern for the dead.
The law prohibited touching the body of the dead.
Tobit ignored the repercussions of violating the law.
Once before he was hunted down for execution
because of this very thing;
yet now that he has scarcely escaped,
here he is again burying the dead!
Tobit was a good and righteous man.
He was in the habit of living his life inspired by God.
He sent his servant out to bring a stranger
in to dine at his table.
The neighbors felt that Tobit was wasting his time and effort.
We know that caring for the body of a dead person
is really about our belief about death.
He was in the habit of living his life inspired by God.
He sent his servant out to bring a stranger
in to dine at his table.
The neighbors felt that Tobit was wasting his time and effort.
We know that caring for the body of a dead person
is really about our belief about death.
Of course once you are dead you no longer
have concerns for your physical body.
have concerns for your physical body.
How we treat our earthly body is directly connected
to our beliefs about our eternity.
to our beliefs about our eternity.
Our body, even after death, represents
the dwelling place of the breath of God.
the dwelling place of the breath of God.
The actions of Tobit causes much tension
between he and his wife.
between he and his wife.
He becomes so distraught over his situation
with his wife that he prays for his own death.
with his wife that he prays for his own death.
If you read the second chapter of Tobit
you will find that Tobit is blinded by
bird droppings on this very same night.
In burying this dead person Tobit was practicing
his call to live in charity.
his call to live in charity.
The book of Tobit has much
to teach us on morality.
to teach us on morality.
We are called to care for others.
The gospel speaks of the vineyard surrounded by a hedge.
The hedge forms a barrier from what is on the
outside of the vineyard.
The gospel speaks of the vineyard surrounded by a hedge.
The hedge forms a barrier from what is on the
outside of the vineyard.
Once someone crosses the hedge line all things change.
Inside the vineyard all is not well and good.
Corruption and evil reside inside the vineyard.
The vineyard was set up to produce good,
but it was overcome with bad.
Where are your hedges?
What happens to those who cross your hedge line?
Tobit crossed the hedge line in burying
the dead person.
Acts of charity ultimately bring Blessings.
~~~Peace~~~
