What was one message coming through the Scriptures today? There were at least four personalities all of whom I found to be inspiriting. First there was Justin, the saint of the day. Then there was Ben Sera whose poetic words in the Book of Sirach I found to be so spiritual. Lastly there was Tobit with his wife Anna who could be the neighbors next door. All four were seekers of the Truth, good to the core.
In contrast, we met the Jewish authorities today who this time tried to trap Jesus regarding the legality of paying taxes to the Roman government. Jesus dispatched them consequently we can spend our time drawing strength and inspiration from the true believers.
St. Justin was a young Greek. He loved philosophy. He had in inquiring mind seeking a vision of God through reason, thought and investigation. He was a beach bum and one day met a wise old man who told him to search elsewhere, look to the prophets for Truth. Justin did and he found it.
Last week in the readings from Scripture we met another devout young man who was mature beyond his years. Those inspirational readings we had from the Book of Sirach were written by Ben Sera. He also spoke of seeking truth, God’s will, and guidance. He wrote. “When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom … I was familiar with her. She came to me in her beauty.” He went on to say that God’s wisdom was not only beautiful, but God takes the initiative, knocks on the door of our hearts. He talked about his hand opening her gate and how he came to know her secrets. He was telling us how he came to know the Holy Spirit. Two young men with so much wisdom to share with us.
Tobit, however, was not so young. He possessed a different kind of wisdom. He was honest to the core. Did you smile when you heard the reading today from the Book of Tobit? You probably did not expect a bible story that would share with us the plight of an unlucky, pooped-on man! But it did, a reminder to us of real people who searched for God, were stamped with God’s image, and gave witness to it and who inspire us still.
The reading from the Book of Tobit has been described as an OT novella about the perils of a virtuous and pious Jew dedicated to observing both the spirit and letter of the law. His profession, he buried the dead at any hour of the day and night. We heard how he became blind. On one occasion he was cranky with Anna, his wife, and she called him out for it. Her response forced him to examine his life considering his actions.
Justin, Ben Sera, Tobit, Anna, four lives stamped with God’s image who continue to inspire us today.
