(5.) The Gospel Story of Tobit: Raphael and the Ministry of Angels. “The prayer of both Tobit and Sarah found favor before the glory of God and in the presence of the great angel Raphael.” (Tobit 3:16). The Healer. God heard both those prayers of anguish, and He sent His Archangel Raphael, which means “God heals“, …
(4.) The Gospel Story of Tobit: Low Moments. “… Now do with me as is best before You. Command that my life breath be taken from me so I may be released from the face of the earth into dust. It is better for me to die than to live, for I am overwhelmed with …
(3.) The Gospel Story of Tobit: Groans and Sighs. “Grief-stricken in spirit, I groaned and wept aloud. Then with sobs of sorrow, I began to pray…” (3:1). GROAN: (in biblical terms, a groan and a sigh are interchangeable); a wordless sound uttered in pain, grief, or sorrow; a visceral sound full of deep emotion but …
(2.) The Gospel Story of Tobit: Virtues and Ordeals in Chapters 1 and 2. “I, Tobit, have walked in paths of truth, righteousness and good works all the days of my life… And because I had kept faith with my God with my whole heart, the Most High granted me the favor and grace of …
(1.) The Gospel Story of ‘Tobit’: Introduction. “O Lord, You are righteous, and all your works are just. All Your ways are mercy and truth. You are the Judge of the world, because Your judgments are true and just forever.” (Tobit 3:2). The OT Apocrypha. The book of Tobit is included in the Apocrypha, 10-12 …
(16.) Women and Children First: Faith-Based Ministries for the Vulnerable and Exploited. “Rescue those who are unjustly led away to death; those who are staggering to the slaughter, Oh deliver them from their doom. If you claim ignorance and excuse yourself by saying, ‘Look, we didn’t know about this! or if you say that it is …
(15.) Women and Children First: Home Sweet Home. “How fortunate, how happy are you who fear the Lord, you who are filled with reverence for Him. All of us who follow His ways are to be envied, because God Himself will bless us! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor and be fulfilled in …
(14.) Women and Children First: Mother Weeping for Her Children. Welcome the Children. “Jesus took a little child whom He placed into their midst. Taking the child into His arms and embracing him, He said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but …
(13.) Women and Children: Bearing Their Burdens. “Continue bearing each other’s heavy burdens. In this way you will be fulfilling the Torah’s true meaning, which is upheld by the Messiah Christ. Keep carrying one another’s overwhelming loads, and you will be truly obeying Christ’s Royal Law of Love. By your ongoing offer to stoop down …
(12.) Women and Children First: The Inspiring Example of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. “Mother Teresa is, in herself, a living conversion; it is impossible to be with her, to listen to her, to observe what she is doing and how she is doing it, without being in some degree converted. Her total dedication to Christ, her …
(11.) Women and Children First: The Inspiring Example of St. John, the Father of Orphans. “True religious worship that is pure in the eyes of our Father God is this: to personally care for orphans and widows in their distressing troubles, and to refuse to be corrupted by the world’s values.” (James 1:27). Another St. John. In …
(10.) Women and Children First: A Knightly Quest for Men. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” (Helen Keller). To Quest (a very active verb): To engage in a long, difficult and adventurous journey that requires hard work in order to achieve a worthwhile goal or a valuable possession; to give oneself to a focused search, …