Reflection for Friday, Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Word

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

‘Before them all, Tobit acknowledged that God had been merciful to him’ (Tob 11:17)_

Reflection

Whenever we sink into the darkness of our troubles, it is understandable that we will moan and groan.

After all, how can we be in any other mood when we are sinking into a deep dark hole.

Although we believe that God will save us out of our troubles, the waiting in the darkness of despair is certainly a test of faith.

For Tobit, whom we heard about in the 1st reading, he was literally in darkness due to his blindness.

And his faith was also dimming as he waited for God to save him from that darkness and despair.

But when God's salvation eventually came, it was blessing upon blessing and with rejoicing.

Tobit, as well as the many other characters in the Bible, have had their trials and their faith was also tested.

They have known the darkness of despair but they put their hope in God's salvation and blessings.

In our times of darkness and despair, let us hold firm in faith and hope in God's blessings.

Then like Tobit, we too will give thanks to God with rejoicing.

In the gospel reading, we find Jesus interpreting one segment of the Jewish Scriptures, one of the Psalms.

He shows that, understood properly, that particular psalm shows that Jesus is more than the Son of David; he is Lord.

He has the same name that God has in the Jewish Scriptures, the name ‘Lord’.

The gospels tell us that when the risen Lord appeared to his disciples, he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

The Lord is the light in which we read all the Scriptures.

The more we come to know the Lord, the more we will understand God’s word to us in what Paul in today’s first reading calls ‘all scripture’.

That is why when we sit down to read or pray the Scriptures it is good to firstly invite the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord, to enlighten the eyes of our minds and hearts.

At times, loss of health or some faculty or the sudden death of a loved one, reminds us of our failure to thank God when we had them. It is only by having a grateful heart that we can do what pleases God: keep his commandments, love in thought, word and deed, and live the beatitudes.


Resolution

Let's resolve from today to  practise thanking and praising God in everything.

Good morning. Have a nice safe day

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on the Suffering Humanity.