Meditations for June 5, 2009
Meditation: Tobit 11:5-17
Blessed be God, and praised be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. (Tobit 11:14)
Try to picture Tobit’s reaction to regaining his sight. He’s not standing there calmly, speaking perfect biblical prose. Rather, he’s delirious with joy! The words are coming so fast he can hardly get them out. Not only has he been healed but God has used his son Tobiah to do it, with the help of an angel. What’s more, he has just met his daughter-in-law Sarah, who has also been delivered by the angel. Can you blame him for being so excited?
Notice, too, how Tobit spends more time praising God than actually relating what’s happened to him. But that is pretty typical for this fellow. Even after losing his sight and enduring his wife’s criticism, he still turned toward heaven: “You are righteous, O Lord, and all your deeds are just” (Tobit 3:2). All his life, Tobit tried to live in the presence of God, so when he receives this blessing, he knows right away whom to thank!
How important it is to cultivate a grateful heart—especially when the world emphasizes self-centeredness and encourages us to get bitter over the slightest setback. The liturgy tells us that God is “the source of all holiness” and that we are always surrounded by his goodness and mercy. It’s just that sometimes we have to open our eyes to see just how deeply God is involved in our lives. But once our eyes are opened, we inevitably end up sounding like Tobit in today’s reading.
Today, see if you can spot God’s fingerprints: in the beauty of nature, in your spouse’s smile, in the talents he has given you. Thank him for these small miracles, even as you persist in praying for your bigger needs. Remember that Tobit’s story is a picture of life as God meant it to be, and that life includes healing and wholeness! The God who cleansed the lepers and raised the dead can move mountains in your life, too. It all starts as you turn your eyes toward him and make the decision to be thankful for all he has given you.
“Lord, thank you for giving me the gifts of life and love. Help me to see your greatness and mercy in all my circumstances today.”
Psalm 146:1-2,6-10; Mark 12:35-37
Blessed be God, and praised be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. (Tobit 11:14)
Try to picture Tobit’s reaction to regaining his sight. He’s not standing there calmly, speaking perfect biblical prose. Rather, he’s delirious with joy! The words are coming so fast he can hardly get them out. Not only has he been healed but God has used his son Tobiah to do it, with the help of an angel. What’s more, he has just met his daughter-in-law Sarah, who has also been delivered by the angel. Can you blame him for being so excited?
Notice, too, how Tobit spends more time praising God than actually relating what’s happened to him. But that is pretty typical for this fellow. Even after losing his sight and enduring his wife’s criticism, he still turned toward heaven: “You are righteous, O Lord, and all your deeds are just” (Tobit 3:2). All his life, Tobit tried to live in the presence of God, so when he receives this blessing, he knows right away whom to thank!
How important it is to cultivate a grateful heart—especially when the world emphasizes self-centeredness and encourages us to get bitter over the slightest setback. The liturgy tells us that God is “the source of all holiness” and that we are always surrounded by his goodness and mercy. It’s just that sometimes we have to open our eyes to see just how deeply God is involved in our lives. But once our eyes are opened, we inevitably end up sounding like Tobit in today’s reading.
Today, see if you can spot God’s fingerprints: in the beauty of nature, in your spouse’s smile, in the talents he has given you. Thank him for these small miracles, even as you persist in praying for your bigger needs. Remember that Tobit’s story is a picture of life as God meant it to be, and that life includes healing and wholeness! The God who cleansed the lepers and raised the dead can move mountains in your life, too. It all starts as you turn your eyes toward him and make the decision to be thankful for all he has given you.
“Lord, thank you for giving me the gifts of life and love. Help me to see your greatness and mercy in all my circumstances today.”
Psalm 146:1-2,6-10; Mark 12:35-37
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