The Tobit story which is today's first reading is hard for us to relate to as  although it was written only 300 years before the birth of Christ, it is set in a age remote from the one that was the setting for the New Testament, the time of the Exile. The story illustrates the ways of God which are not man's ways. Tobit is, as was Job, a God- fearing man who was stricken with a random misfortune that was surely going to test his faith. What a panic he fell into when he was sure that the kid had not been acquired licitly. We feel the desperation of the blind man who only wanted to do what was right but was hampered by his handicap. His wife sees the kid as a reward for all the times he had done good to his neighbour in days before the random act of fate which had blinded him. His faith was in God and in the covenants made with Abraham and Moses. 

The New Testament Jesus is put to the test by men and he definitively separates politics and religion. The problem that we face today is that politics does not accept this and imposes non-Christian norms onto the people of God. Some of our Church leaders seem to have lost their primary purpose and are more than ready to concede their Faith which comes from God to the twin Caesars of popularity and power. Why are the nonsenses about sex and gender not condemned for what they are, evil stupidity.

Dear Lord, may we regard the faith displayed in the Old Testament as pointers to the true faith brought to us by the Holy Spirit from You and the Resurrection.  May I find your mercy and pardon for all my sins which are such an offence to Your Saving Grace.