Tobias and the Archangel

By Sr. Patricia Kay
May/June 2013

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My blind father, Tobit, an exile in Nineveh, had carried out the works of mercy tirelessly especially among our own people. But now he, my mother, Anna, and I were destitute. So he sent me with a man named Azarias, who supposedly was his kinsman, to be my companion on a journey to distant Rhages where 10 talents of his were stored. So we set off followed by my little dog.

Azarias proved to be knowledgeable and extremely wise. Once in Media he advised me to marry my kinsman’s daughter, Sarah, and showed me how to banish forever the demon Asmodeus who tormented her. He also collected all my father’s money.

Azarias and I returned to Nineveh as Sarah and her entourage came close behind. My parents were overjoyed to see us. Azarias had also taught me the way to cure my father’s blindness. So holding my father steady, I blew in his face and rubbed his eyes with fish gall, which we had collected, and peeled off the film from each eye. He joyfully cried out, “I can see! I can see again!” and praised God with all his heart.

My father held a great feast for all the Jews of Nineveh to share our happiness. He and I began to discuss how we might ever repay Azarias for all he had done. But Azarias drew us aside and said to us, “Bless God, utter his praise before all the living for all the favours he has given you. I am going to tell you the whole truth, hiding nothing from you. Tobit, when you did not hesitate to get up and leave the table to go and bury a dead man, I was sent to test your faith; and at the same time God sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law, Sarah. I AM RAPHAEL, one of the seven angels who stand ever ready to enter the presence of the glory of the Lord.”

We were overwhelmed with awe and fell down in terror, but Raphael said, “Do not be afraid; when I was with you, my presence was not by any decision of mine, but by the will of God. You thought you saw me eating, but that was appearance and no more. Now bless the Lord on earth and give thanks to God. I am about to return to the One above who sent me.” And he rose in the air.

When we stood up again, Raphael was no longer visible. We sang in praise and thanksgiving to God for having performed such wonders. Had not an angel of God appeared to us?

Based on the Book of Tobit, The Jerusalem Bible.

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