The story of  Tobit this morning begins with the lamentation that is pure praise for God and recognition that if we look towards God we become miniscule in his sight. God is complete Justice so Tobit sees his plight as completely justified; he and his nation, the people of the Covenants have sinned countless times. The story continues, very much like a modern soap, and God's providence, the writer, has begun to move the plot. The female lead is also afflicted in an unfathomable way and is scorned by all. She considers all her options but decides to beg the Lord for death. The prayers of both are answered and the Mercy of God is sent as Raphael the Archangel.

In the Gospel there is another plot to catch Jesus out. Of course it fails but in its failure Jesus assures us that there is most definitely a life after death. A life that was revealed to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; God is the God of the living and man may die but continues in the Life of the Resurrection. After death all the modern nonsense and preoccupation about sex and gender will be nothing. We will be like the Angels, not in that we will have no bodily existence but in that as we are with God there will be no reproduction of our species.

Dear Lord, I thank you that I am able to fill my time with work and yet know that this happiness as a tiny cog in your creation too will pass; grant me time in which to confess my sins and let me be sincere in my amendment.