Between the Books of Nehemiah and Judith, we find the endearing, heart-warming, uplifting and inspiring Book of Tobit. Composed of only fourteen short chapters, the story runs smoothly and quickly with simple but profound messages for the whole world and at all times. The Word of God is like a two-edged sword that pierces bone from marrow. Jesus reminds us that man does not simply live on bread alone but on every word that issues forth from the mouth of God.
The Psalmist calls our attention to the fact that the word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. We would like to focus upon one person present in this brilliant Biblical short-story and literary masterpiece — the person of an angel named Raphael. Our prayer and hope is that after reading and prayerfully reflecting upon the Book of Tobit and becoming familiar with this simple and humble composition, that you will be comforted with meeting, knowing, and loving a new friend that already knows you and loves you—the Archangel Raphael.
Indeed, this Archangel greatly desires to walk with you, accompany you in this life so that he will be present with you for all eternity, absorbed in the love of the Blessed Trinity for all eternity.
The Book of Tobit presents us with two very serious problems from the outset! Two families are suffering excruciating pains that do not seem to have an easy solution. There are two Tobits — the father and son. The father is a very good man! During a meal, he leaves the table to help to bury the dead. But as it happens, exhausted due to his strenuous work of burying the dead, he falls asleep, but with his eyes open. Unfortunately, birds passing left their droppings that fall into his eyes.
To make a long story short, despite the intervention of the doctors and their various remedies, the poor man ends up blind — not able to see the light of the day, the color of the rainbow or the smiling faces of his family members. Imagine his suffering and all because he sacrificed himself to exercise a corporal work of mercy — to bury the dead.
