The Light of My Life

Homily for Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

There is an interesting play on words in this morning’s first reading from the Book of Tobit. However, before we get to the homecoming of Tobiah, it might be interesting to learn that we have actually skipped several chapters of this story. The story of the wedding night of Tobiah and Sarah includes a story of a lack of trust and a miraculous intervention.

When Tobiah and Sarah had been left in the wedding chamber, Raguel makes immediate preparations for the burial of Tobiah because he is convinced that like the seven men who married Sarah before him, he will not survive the night. He has the servants dig a grave for Tobiah so that they can bury him as soon day breaks before his neighbors learn that another man has tried to marry Sarah and perished in the effort.

Earlier in the book, Tobiah and Raphael had gone fishing and had been successful. Raphael told Tobiah to save the gall, heart, and liver of the fish, for he knew that they could be used as medicine. Having finished the prayer before they climb into bed, Tobiah burns the heart and liver of the fish as a type of incense. The odor of the burning organs chases the demon away, and Tobiah and Sarah make it safely through their wedding night. Raguel is overjoyed and prepares a fourteen-day wedding feast for the bride and groom.

On the way home, Raphael tells Tobiah to use the gall of the fish as a remedy for the cataracts that had formed on Tobit’s eyes. As they approach Tobias’ home, Raphael tells Tobiah that the gall will allow Tobit to see the light of day again. After his sight is restored, Tobit explains, “I can see you son, the light of my life.” Like Zechariah in the Gospel of St. Luke who sang a Canticle when his sight was restored, Tobit also launches into a benediction upon God for his mercy toward him.

Our faith tells us that Jesus is the light of our lives. The example of Tobit and Zechariah should not be lost on us as we also have much for which to be grateful. Our Eucharist is our liturgy of praise to God who has given us Jesus as the light of the world.