Stories Seldom Heard

304^th Edition   September 2024

Everyone Loves A Good Story

A News Brief:

The Synod on Synodality has published Working Document, a guide for the October 2024 Second Synod Session that will take place in Rome.  Also, “Alongside the preparatory work for the Second Session, the work of the ten Study Groups has begun.”  For more information see https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/07/09/vatican-synod-instrumentum-laboris-248325 

Happy Feast Day

September 29^th is the celebration of Raphael, Michael and Gabriel.  These three Divine messengers might be overlooked this year since their Feast Day falls on Sunday.  But we, the Stories Seldom Heard Community, will not forget them.  So all you “Gabriel/las,” “Michael/Michaelas” and “Raphael/Raphaelas” get ready to celebrate.  Each of these messengers offers us unique invitations and subtle insights into our relationship with God.  It would be too much to include all of their stories.  I have chosen the story of Raphael in the Book of Tobit.  It is a story for all ages and every culture.  It is charming and delightful. It’s a family story about a dutiful son, a journey, a dog, a fish that has healing power and an angel.  So, grandparents, why not read this story to your grandchildren?  I guarantee you will enjoy it as well.

Background information (to impress your “brilliant” grandchildren):

We don’t know who wrote this short story, but it was written around 200 BC.  The original text was written in Aramaic.  Later it was translated into Greek. Because it is not accepted in the Hebrew Bible, the original transcript in Aramaic was lost.  Our translation depends on one of the Greek translations that shows the closest similarity to the Aramaic/Hebrew language.  The Book of Tobit is brief.  The author weaves together two separate stories and situates them within a historical context.  We hear of the wicked rulers of Assyria and the eventual downfall of the Assyrian capital city, Nineveh.  However, this book is not written from a historical perspective.  There are historical discrepancies which indicate that the author is not interested in historical correctness.  Rather he wants to offer us a truth about God.  In fact, the allusions to the unfaithful Assyrian rulers and their eventual fall are meant to stand in bold contrast to God’s faithfulness towards those people who strive to live good lives and are rewarded in the end. 

Now the story:

The Book of Tobit weaves together the stories of Tobit and Sarah.  Even though these two people live many miles apart and do not know each other, they have much in common.  Both Tobit and Sarah are just, prayerful people and both are dealing with very difficult situations.  Tobit has lost his sight.  Sarah is a widow.  Her seven husbands have died.  So how do these two stories get connected?  Tobit had lent ten talents to a friend in Media.  It just so happens that it is there, in Media, that Sarah lives.

Tobit’s health is failing.  He tells Tobias, his son, about the money he lent a friend who lives in Media.  Tobit sends Tobias to collect the money.  From the very beginning of the book, Tobit’s holiness, faith and trust in God are revealed.   Before Tobias leaves on the journey Tobit instructs Tobias in right living, just treatment of others, almsgiving and faithful stewardship of God’s gifts (Tb. 4: 4-23). At the end of Tobit’s “last will and testament” Tobit reminds Tobias where true wealth lies. “Do not be afraid, my child, if we have grown poor. You have true wealth if you love God, if you shun every kind of sin and if you do what is pleasing in God’s sight” (Tb. 4:23). 

Chapter 4 might be a place to stop and reflect on our own lives.  How do we feel about our possessions?  Do we have a regular pattern of almsgiving?  Tobit is a man of deep prayer.  His generosity of spirit and deep trust in God echoes throughout the story.  Perhaps there is something in this chapter that will resonate with you that you could share with your grandchild?  Storytelling is a great way to teach values.

Tobias is willing to go to Media, but he doesn’t know the way.  So, Tobias goes outside the house to look for a guide. There Tobias finds Raphael.  We, the readers, are told that Raphael is sent by God to be Tobias’ guide, but Tobias doesn’t know Raphael’s true identity.  After a long conversation among Tobit, Tobias and Raphael, Raphael assures them that “all will be well” (1).   He also promises a cure for Tobit’s blindness.  As we continue reading, we realize that Raphael lives up to his name which means “God heals” (2).

The First and Second Testaments have many references to messengers from God who “brings good tidings of great joy” and sometimes confusion.  They come in all shapes and sizes and bring surprising gifts.  The welcoming of strangers is also noted by Paul in his Letter to the Hebrews.  “Continue to love each other as brothers and sisters, and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:1).

This quote, from the Letter to the Hebrews, reminds us that often angels come to us “out of the blue.”  In other words, they are strangers or unexpected arrivals.  One of my friends who travels often tells of the angels she meets “on the road.”  These angels, she says, are people who for no other reason but kindness or generosity of spirit help out.  Their assistance can be as small as giving directions to the nearest train/bus stop or as large as changing a flat tire on a rented car in a foreign country.  Like Raphael, these strangers guide, instruct and encourage us in times of indecision and crisis.

There are many extraordinary events during Tobias’ journey to Media and back to Tobit’s house.  There is the large fish that leaps out of the water as Tobias is washing his feet.  At first it seems threatening, but in the end this fish will hold miraculous powers that will chase away demons and restore sight.   There is the wedding night fraught with fearful memories of past wedding nights, but the fear is overcome by the power of love and frequent prayer.  And, of course, there is the final revelation of Raphael’s true identity which gives the author an opportunity to clarify who and what angels are and do.  “As far as I [Raphael] am concerned, when I was with you, my presence was not by any decision of mine, but by the will of God; it is God whom you must bless throughout your days, God whom you must praise….  Now bless God on earth and give thanks to God” (Tb. 12: 18-19). 

The Book of Tobit is good reading for every generation.  The story line has folk tale elements, but woven into the plot is a spiritual message.  There are major conflicts between good and evil in which the good and faithful person always wins.  Right relationships and good works are stressed.  Honoring commitments and faithfulness to one’s promises are valued.  Underlying all of this is a strong emphasis on prayer.  Whether in joyful times or in times of distress, God is faithful to those who pray and sacrifice for what is right. 

Even though this story falls into a folk tale genre, we can understand why we continue to read it.  Its message is true and encouraging.  God is faithful. God sends generous, insightful people to guide us.  In return, we are called not only to give thanks to God, but to live justly with generosity towards others and faithfulness to prayer.

1.  Echoes Julian of Norwich.  “All shall be well, all manner of things shall be well.”

2.  Two references to angels in the First Testament that you might enjoy reading are the following.  In the Book of Genesis, we hear of the three angels who visited Sarah and Abraham and promised them a child (Gen 18:1-15). In the Book of Daniel, God sends an angel to seal the jaws of the lions so that Daniel will not die at the hands of King Darius (Daniel 6:24). 

"Stories Seldom Heard" is a monthly article written by Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P.  Sister is a Dominican Sister of San Rafael, California.  This service is offered to the Christian community to enrich one's personal and spiritual life.  The articles can be used for individual or group reflection.  If you would like "Stories Seldom Heard" sent to a friend, please send a note to brunoop2017@gmail.com.

Special thanks to Mary Ellen Green and Maria Hetherton who have helped in editing this article.  If you would like to support this ministry, please address your donation to Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and mail it to Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P., 40 Locust Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901.