Tobit 3 : 1 – 11a, 16 – 17a / Ps. 24 : 2 – 9 / Mark 12 : 18 – 27

We read in the first reading of today a heartfelt prayer of Tobit and Sara as they were faced with great tribulation and hardships back then. They prayed fervently to God to help them out of their predicament and hardships. Tobit as we read from yesterday’s first reading suffered from blindness which led to his ridicule from his own wife and friends.

Sara on her side was beset by a powerful demon named Asmodeus, who had struck at all the seven brothers who were married to her. Sara too was ridiculed by her own maidservants who accused her of having murdered all of her past husbands when she had done no such thing.

Both Tobit and Sara’s afflictions were so great that they desired death rather than the continuation of their earthly life.

In their distress, both Tobit and Sara prayed to the Lord and sought His help and guidance, and the Lord heard them in their distress. The prayers of Tobit and Sarah show us that nothing is out of reach in prayer. We can share our darkest moods with the Lord in prayer. We can always open our hearts to the Lord, even if it is full of darkness, just as Tobit and Sarah did. 

Dear brothers and sisters, you might be hard pressed on every side, but do not despair. Sometimes, what is or was meant to keep you out, will bring you in and what was planned to be a disgrace, will turn into grace for your benefit. Once again trust in the Lord and go to him on your knees in prayer. Keep on pushing; you will come out victorious.

 Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees in the gospel reading of today teaches us that if we seek satisfaction from this world, we will soon be disappointed by the hardships, challenges, rejection, ridicule and all the obstacles we may encounter on our way.

Another lesson we have to take note of from the Gospel is that our primary relationship should be with God rather than with each other. We will come to share in Jesus’s own relationship with God as Sons to a greater degree than is possible in this life. Jesus’ answer does not mean that deep human relationships based on love will not endure the test of time but in growing closer to God, we grow closer to each other.

As we are drawn into Jesus’ own relationship with God, we believe that our capacity to love is purified and perfected, and our loving relationships are brought to completion. May the Lord continue to strengthen and encourage us by His love, His grace and ever-present guidance in our daily lives, so that we may always walk ever more graciously and with faith in the path that He has presented to us.

Rosary Prayer: Glorious Mysteries

Mass Intentions: Praying for relief of pain for the terminally ill and healing for all conditions of health.