Magnificat January 2023

14 Vol. LVIII, No. 1 Magnificat A faithful servant of God Around seven centuries before Christ there lived a man named Tobias, a native of the tribe of Nephtali and of the city of the same name. Having lost his father from early childhood, he faithfully obeyed the recommendations of his pious mother Deborah. The men of his tribe and his relatives sacrificed to idols, whereas he was the only member of his family who went to Jerusalem to worship the God of his fathers. His childhood and youth were spent in the constant practice of all the virtues. When he reached manhood, he married a young girl of his tribe named Anna. He had a son; he named him Tobias after himself and brought him up in fear of the Lord and the horror of sin. The army of Salmanazar, king of Assyria, soon fell upon Israel and ravaged the Kingdom of Samaria. The holy man Tobias, caught up in the general misfortune of his nation, was taken captive to Nineveh with his wife and son. He was the same in Assyria as he had been in Israel. The examples of his own brothers had not perverted him; those of foreigners could not corrupt him. The other Israelites, long accustomed to violating the Law of God, partook of all the meats eaten by the Gentiles. The faithful Tobias never wanted to defile himself with such a crime. As charitable to his brothers as he was reverent in observing his religion, he distributed to his unfortunate compatriots the few goods he had been able to take with him. As a reward for his fidelity, the Lord had him find favor with Salmanazar. Touched by the charity of his captive, the prince gave him ten silver talents. In addition, he employed Tobias in the supplies of the palace, gave him complete freedom of action, and allowed him to go wherever he wanted. Tobias took advantage of the favors of the monarch to visit his exiled brothers and to distribute help and consolation to them. His charity led him as far as Rages, in Medea, where he performed a heroic act of generosity which was for him, if not the main source, at least the occasion for the wonders with which the Lord prepared to reward his virtue. He found in this city a great number of Israelites of his tribe, including a relative named Gabelus. This man, poor as well as virtuous, needed prompt assistance and did not know where to turn for help. Tobias generously lent him the ten talents he had received The holy man Tobias ensures a burial for his compatriots who were put to death. TOBIAS

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