Magnificat Vol. LVIII, No. 1 17 Journey of Tobias the Younger Young Tobias, followed by his dog and led by the Angel, went further and further away. On the first day, the travelers reached the banks of the Tigris, where Tobias wanted to wash his feet. Suddenly, however, a monstrous fish rushed to devour him. The frightened young man cried out in distress, “Lord, it is going to swallow me up!” But the Angel reassured him, “Take hold of the fish by the gills and pull it into shore.” And so it was done. “Open the fish now,” said the Angel, “and set aside the heart, gall and liver. They will be useful to you one day to perform a cure.” Then, roasting part of the creature’s flesh over some coals, they took it with them and salted the rest. This was sufficient for their food until the end of the journey. After going a long way on foot, they came to a city of the Medes. Where do you want us to stay?” Tobias asked his companion. The Angel replied: “There is a close relative of yours here by the name of Raguel. He has an only daughter called Sarah, whom the Lord has destined for you, along with all her fortune. Ask her father for her hand, he will not refuse you.” This sudden proposal surprised young Tobias, all the more because strange happenings in that family had thrown the entire country into a state of agitation. “I heard that Sarah has been married seven times, and that all her husbands were killed by the devil. I am afraid the same thing will happen to me and that my parents, whose only support I am, will die of grief.” The Angel reassured him: “These husbands were killed by the devil because their intentions were not holy. As for you, fear nothing. Live in innocence and prayer, and the devil will have no domination over you.” The Angel finished speaking as they entered Raguel’s house. This man was an Israelite full of honor, frankness and religion, a close relative and friend of Tobias the father, whom he had known well in his youth. He welcomed his guests with joy. Having fixed his eyes on Tobias, he said softly to his wife, Anna, “How closely this young man resembles my cousin Tobias!” Then, turning to the travelers, he asked them, “Where are you from, brothers?” – “We are of the tribe of Nephtali, from among the captives.” – “Do you know Tobias, my cousin?” – “We know him.” And as Raguel poured forth praise on his cousin’s account, the Angel added, “The Tobias of whom you speak is this young man’s father.” Raguel embraced his young relative tenderly and showered him with tears, saying, “My son, may God bless you, for you are the son of the best and most virtuous of men.” As for Anna and Sarah, witnesses of Marriage of Sarah and Tobias “Open the fish; set aside the heart, the gall and the liver...” said the Angel Raphael to Tobias.
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