VIRTUOUS ACTS
Tobit 1:3, 2:1-8; Psalm 111; Mark 12:1-12
In today’s passage, Tobit was set to enjoy a feast, but he sent his son out to get those who were hungry to partake in the feast. When the son returned, he reported that one of their people had been murdered and dumped in the marketplace. Tobit expressed sympathy for someone he did not know; he quickly stood up, found the deceased, and gave it a respectable burial.
Today, the virtuous acts of Tobit form parts of the seven corporal acts of mercy: to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to give shelter to travellers, to visit the sick, to visit the imprisoned, and to bury the dead. Tobit was out to feed the hungry yet could sacrifice all to bury the dead. Today, we easily excuse our inactions or failures.
Just as the corporal works of mercy are directed towards relieving corporeal suffering, we equally have the spiritual works of mercy which aims at relieving spiritual suffering. The works include: To instruct the ignorant; to counsel the doubtful; to admonish the sinners; to bear patiently those who wrong us; to forgive offenses, to comfort the afflicted and to pray for the living and the dead. Beloved, make the wolrd a better place by works of mercy.
The parable of the vineyard, in which the owner’s son is killed and thrown out, is presented to us in the gospel. Of course, the earth represents the vineyard, and the laborers are were Jewish authorities who opposed Christ. The earth is still God’s property, and we are to look after it as God’s stewards. Rather than fighting and killing ourselves; let us be good stewards of God’s blessings like Tobit. We equally have the example of St. Boniface today; he gave his time, resources, treasure to the building of God’s Kingdom in Germany before he eventually died for the faith. The history of the rich Catholic faith in Germany today is not complete without reference to Boniface.
LET US PRAY
May the Martyr Saint Boniface be our advocate, O Lord, that we may firmly hold the faith he taught with his lips and sealed in his blood and confidently profess it by our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
