A moments rest between the two missions.
Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Tb 2:9-14; Ps 112:1-2, 7-8, 9; Mk 12:13-17
Notes: I love the fight between Tobit and Anna. Matches the gospel portion today in a special way.
Why are you testing me?
For four years she kept the family fed and their bills paid.
Tobit was lost in his miseries.
But since he is writing retrospectively, we can see he acknowledges:
- All my kinsmen were grieved at my condition.
- Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years.
- My wife Anna worked for hire.
For her part Anna ‘had it up to here’ with Tobit.
Basically saying, you have virtues for others but not for me [gratitude being one of them]?
Anna was sorely tested by Tobit.
- His plight was sorrowful to be sure.
- But Ahiqar, who had access to the medical arts of the Assyrian king, leveraged his position to aid Tobit.
- His wife, Anna, took care of the household in its entirety.
Tobit, a virtuous man, lashed out anyway [nobody is perfect but Jesus & Mary].
Anna’s response is: Why do you test me?
Is not the evidence before you enough?
Love it!
What a great way to encounter the gospel reading today!
Our gospel portion today is at the end of the Galilean ministry.
Jesus proves his authority, power and grace time and again in the gospel of Mark prior to The Entry into Jerusalem.
Examples (lifted from the Mark gospel study).
- Blind Mk 8:22-26 and Mk 18:46-62
- Deaf Mk 7:32-35
- Leper Mk 1:40-43
- Poor Mk 10:21
- Lame Mk 2:1-12
- Dumb Mk 7:32-35
From here on in Mark is the Jeruselem entry and passion sequence.
So Jesus and Anna have the same basic reply:
Why do you test me?
Is not the evidence before you enough?
Additionally, they want us to look inside ourselves:
What is it that makes you so unhappy?
Tobit – loss of autonomy and dignity.
Pharisees and Herodians – loss of power and authority.
Why is it you are acting out this way?
Tobit – frustration and inability to control one’s life.
Pharisees and Herodians – their desire to nulify the ministry of Jesus in favor of their own power.
The coins containing forbidden images of persons are not the ‘currency’ of G-d.
The currency of G-d is love.
Is not the evidence before you enough?
First Reading
So she retorted: “Where are your charitable deeds now? Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!”
Responsorial
The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.
Gospel Acclamation
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call.
Gospel
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me?”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry