Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/346

 Guardian Angels. This  story  fully  confirms  the  Catholic  doctrine about guardian  Angels. Tobias’ parting  words  to  his  son: “May  God’s Angel accompany  you”,  plainly  show  that  he  believed  in  the  protection of guardian  Angels. By Raphael’s  actions  we  can  see  what  it  is  that our guardian  Angels  do  for  us,  since  they  do  for  us  in  an  invisible manner just  what  he  did,  visibly,  for  young  Tobias. He guided  him, protected him  on  his  long  and  perilous  journey,  showed  him  what  was the right  thing  to  do,  and  prayed  for  him  and  his  father. This is  what our guardian  Angels  do  for  us. The Angel’s  words:  “When  thou  didst pray with  tears,  and  bury  the  dead,  I offered  thy  prayer  to  the  Lord”, show us  plainly  that  the  holy  Angels  know  all  about  our  prayers, sufferings and  labours,  and  carry  our  prayers  and  good  works  before the throne  of  God,  uniting  their  prayers  to  ours,  and  interceding  for us. The example  of  Tobias  shows  us  how  we  ought  to  conduct  our selves towards  our  holy  guardian. Tobias reverenced  the  holy  Angel, obeyed his  directions,  executed  his  commands,  called  on  him  in  the hour of  danger,  and  showed  him  the  most  heartfelt  gratitude.

Humility of  the  holy  Archangel  Raphael.  He  gave  all  the  glory to God.

Gratitude shown  by  the  old  and  the  young  Tobias  towards  their benefactor. They wished  to  give  him  half  of  what  they  possessed. Gratitude is  pleasing,  whereas  everybody  detests  ingratitude.

Good works.  The  Angel  of  God  praised  Tobias  on  account  of his  prayers,  fasting  and  alms-deeds,  thereby  putting  such  works  before us as  excellent,  and  pleasing  to  God. Under the  head  of  “prayer”  we are  to  understand  all  acts  of  worship  both  interior  and  exterior:  for Tobias did  not  merely  pray,  but  offered  sacrifice,  and  observed  the great feasts  of  God. Under the  head  of  “fasting”  are  included  all acts of  mortification. Tobias observed  all  the  laws  regarding  abstinence from  certain  food:  he  shortened  his  night’s  rest  to  bury  the dead, and  bore  all  his  sufferings  with  patience  and  resignation. Under the head  of  “alms-deeds”  we  are  to  understand  all  the  works  of  mercy which Tobias  practised  in  such  a high  degree,  comforting  the  afflicted, feeding the  hungry,  and  burying  the  dead. Now, why  are  these  good works enjoined  on  us? Firstly, because  by  prayer  we  prove  our  love of God,  by  fasting  our  love  of  ourselves,  and  by  alms-deeds  our  love of our  neighbour. Secondly, because  these  three  good  works  united represent the  most  perfect  offering  which  we  can  make  to  God,  for by prayer  we  offer  Him  our  soul,  by  fasting  our  body,  and  by  alms all we  possess. Thirdly, because  these  three  good  works  are  the  best weapons against  our  three  enemies:  by  prayer  we  can  fight  against pride, by  fasting  against  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  and  by  alms-deeds  against the lust  of  the  eyes.

Imperishable treasures.  Why  is  “prayer,  with  fasting  and  alms, better than  laying  up  treasures  of  gold”? Because gold  and  earthly