FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH JUNE 4, 2021

MASS READINGS:

A Reading from the Book of Tobit 11:5-17

Anna sat watching the road by which her son was to come. When she saw him coming, she exclaimed to his father, “Tobit, your son is coming, and the man who traveled with him!” Raphael said to Tobiah before he reached his father: “I am certain that his eyes will be opened. Smear the fish gall on them. This medicine will make the cataracts shrink and peel off from his eyes; then your father will again be able to see the light of day.” Then Anna ran up to her son, threw her arms around him, and said to him, “Now that I have seen you again, son, I am ready to die!” And she sobbed aloud. Tobit got up and stumbled out through the courtyard gate. Tobiah went up to him with the fish gall in his hand, and holding him firmly, blew into his eyes. “Courage, father,” he said. Next he smeared the medicine on his eyes, and it made them smart. Then, beginning at the corners of Tobit’s eyes, Tobiah used both hands to peel off the cataracts. When Tobit saw his son, he threw his arms around him and wept. He exclaimed, “I can see you, son, the light of my eyes!” Then he said: “Blessed be God, and praised be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. May his holy name be praised throughout all the ages, Because it was he who scourged me, and it is he who has had mercy on me. Behold, I now see my son Tobiah!” Then Tobit went back in, rejoicing and praising God with full voice for everything that had happened. Tobiah told his father that the Lord God had granted him a successful journey; that he had brought back the money; and that he had married Raguel’s daughter Sarah, who would arrive shortly, for she was approaching the gate of Nineveh. Tobit and Anna rejoiced and went out to the gate of Nineveh to meet their daughter-in-law. When the people of Nineveh saw Tobit walking along briskly, with no one leading him by the hand, they were amazed. Before them all Tobit proclaimed how God had mercifully restored sight to his eyes. When Tobit reached Sarah, the wife of his son Tobiah, he greeted her: “Welcome, my daughter! Blessed be your God for bringing you to us, daughter! Blessed is your father, and blessed is my son Tobiah, and blessed are you, daughter! Welcome to your home with blessing and joy. Come in, daughter!” That day there was joy for all the Jews who lived in Nineveh.

REFLECTION

Then Tobit went back in, rejoicing and praising God with full voice for everything that had happened.

When we receive a gift we not only say "thank you" but also send a note acknowledging the giver's generosity. Whether we receive a material object or a work of mercy or just someone being present, we know when someone has gone out of their way for us. Normally we walk around with a smile, or an exuberance when someone makes us feel special.

Many times we are happy when we know someone who has suffered has had their prayers answered and they receive that which they wanted. We see the goodness of the Lord in their lives and we, too, rejoice and praise God for everything that has happened.

God is the giver of all gifts. And with faith we never give up on God or turn away. Knowing that all that happens in our lives is in God's infinite plan, we know that God is in control. We merely continue to pray with humility, perseverance and patience.

Never give up during hard times, and if our faith is tested, visit with a priest asking for spiritual guidance and direction. You would be surprised to see that God has already answered you but maybe we did not see it or the priest gives us an insight to our problems.

Ask God for whatever the Holy Spirit puts in your heart, always asking for that if it is according to God's will.

Please pray the PAPA Prayer for Priests.

"When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." (GK Chesterton)

God Bless You