Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
We are blessed today with lots of rejoicing in Tobit and the psalm. After so much loss, Tobit finally gets to rejoice; “The Lord God had granted [Tobiah] a successful journey; he had brought back the money; and that he had married Raguel's daughter Sarah” (Tb 11:15), not to mention that Tobiah restored his sight! Tobit then expresses a beautiful hymn of praise, “Blessed be God and praise be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels!” (14) The joyful noise continues into our psalm for today (one of my favorites), “Praise the Lord, my Soul!” (Ps 146:1b)
I am struck by the image painted in the opening verses of our first reading. Anna is waiting, watching, anticipating a glimpse of her son, Tobiah, returning home. And as he comes into view, Anna explodes with joy! Praise the Lord! Tobiah is coming. As I prayed with the readings, I was overcome with the emotions of Anna, Tobit, and Tobiah. Tobit and Anna had been through so much misfortune and were clinging to the hope of Tobiah’s return. Have you ever longed so desperately to see someone again; and then felt the surge of joy upon reconnecting? Similar to the emotion of a family when a soldier returns home from service overseas. Or that of an affectionate pet who sits at the window, watching and waiting for the return of its owner from a long day away at work.
I invite you to take five minutes to pray psalm 146 with me today.
Ps. 146 - Friday, June 9.1.m4a - (Arrangement by Adam Bitter)
May our good and gracious God bless you so abundantly that you are compelled to praise the Lord today and every day.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer