Here are the two major characters in the Book of Tobit or Tobias as some call it: Anna and Tobit. In the readings for today liturgy ( Readings ) there is much jubilation. What we have is a scene somewhat similar to that story Jesus used in describing the welcoming of a father whose son returns to him after a rather terrible life.Anna, like the father, would look out each day to see if Tobiah, their son, would be coming home. In the scene today there is in the words of the responsorial psalm, "Praise the Lord, my soul."
While away from home, Tobiah took a wife, had some harrowing moments with a particular fish which he eventually overcame. As to be expected, Tobiah cut out part of the fish's organs to use to drive away evil spirit's and to bring back to rub on his father's cataracted covered eyes.
What we can gain from this episode is an appreciation of a son's fidelity to his parents, particularly his father. Likewise we can see an example of trust in God's care for us -- that it is not always an immediate response to our call for help but that in due time there is a miracle.
Lastly, surely the natural food and medicine folks among us might be saying, "See, we told you there is much value in fish oils!"
