Day 1 (Monday)

Tobit 11:1-19; 12:1-22

Last time we saw Tobias and Sarah get married, and by obedience to the instructions of the Archangel Raphael, with trust in and faithfulness to God, and through a veiled expectation of the Lord’s Incarnation, they were both preserved in the bridal chamber. Afterward, Raguel prepared a 14 day feast in celebration of the marriage. In chapters 9 & 10, which we will sum up here, rather than read in full, Tobias asks his companion Azarias (actually the Archangel Raphael) to complete the journey to Rages and claim the silver from Gabael, allowing him to stay and honor his new father-in-law’s celebration without adding too much delay to his return home, lest his father and mother begin to fear that he had died. Raphael does so, and returns within a few days to Ecbatana. Meanwhile, back in Nineveh, Tobias does not arrive home by the time that Tobit and Anna had expected, and we see them begin to be afraid for him. In Ecbetana, as soon as the 14 day feast is completed, Tobias and Sarah prepare to leave. Raguel fulfills his promise, and gives them half of his property, and sends them on their way. We thus find Tobias, together with Raphael and Sarah and those accompanying them, approaching the end of the journey, as we begin chapter 11.

Homeward Journey

1 He traveled until they approached Nineveh. Here Raphael said to Tobias, 2 “My brother, are you not aware of how you left your father? 3 Let us run ahead of your wife and prepare the house. 4 Take the gall of the fish in your hand.” So they proceeded, and the dog followed behind them. 5 Meanwhile Anna sat gazing upon the road for her boy. 6 She perceived that he was coming and said to the father, “Behold, your son is coming, and the man traveling with him!”

Tobit’s Sight Restored

7 Raphael said, “I know that the eyes of your father will open. 8 Rub the gall on his eyes. When the eyes sting, he will rub them and cause the white film to fall away. He will then see you.” 9 Then Anna ran up to her son and fell upon his neck and said to him, “I have seen you, my child. From this day, I am now ready to die!” So they both wept. 10 Then Tobit came out of the door. He stumbled, but his son ran up to him.

11 He took hold of his father and dabbed the gall on the eyes of his father, saying, “Father, take courage!” 12 Then as his eyes stung, he rubbed them, and the white films peeled off from the corners of his eyes. 13 When he saw his son, he fell upon his neck, weeping, and said, 14 “Blessed are You, O God, and blessed is Your name unto the ages. Blessed are all Your holy angels, for You scourged me but had mercy on me. Behold, I see Tobias my son.” 15 His son went in rejoicing and told his father the great things that had happened to him in Media.

16 Then Tobit rejoiced and blessed God as he went to meet his daughter-in-law at the gate of Nineveh. But those who saw him as he walked along were amazed that he could see. Tobit gave thanks before them, because God had mercy on him. 17 Then as Tobit drew near to meet Sarah, his daughter-in-law, he blessed her, saying, “May you be in good health, my daughter! Blessed is God who brought you to us, and blessed are your father and your mother.” 18 So there was rejoicing among all his brethren in Nineveh. 19 Even Ahikar and his nephew Nadab came, for the wedding feast for Tobias was kept with gladness for seven days.

Raphael Reveals His Identity

1 Tobit summoned his son Tobias and said to him, “My son, see to the wages of the man who went with you, and we must add to them.” 2 He replied to him, “My father, it is no harm for me to give him half of what I brought. 3 For he brought me safely to you, healed my wife, and brought me the silver. Likewise he healed you.” 4 The elderly man replied, “He more than earned it.” 5 So he called the angel and said to him, “Take half of everything you brought.”

6 Then Raphael secretly called the two of them, and said to them, “Bless God and give Him thanks. Ascribe greatness to Him and give thanks in the presence of all the living for what He has done for you. It is good to bless God and to exalt His name. Make known the words of God's works honorably and do not delay to give thanks to Him. 7 It is noble to keep hidden the secret of a king, but glorious to unveil the works of God. Do good, and evil will not find you. 8 Prayer is good with fasting, almsgiving, and righteousness. A few prayers with righteousness are better than many with wrongdoing. It is better to do almsgiving than to lay up gold. 9 For almsgiving rescues one from death, and it will wash away every sin. Those who do almsgiving and are righteous will be full of life. 10 But those who sin are enemies of their own life.

11 “I will not hide anything from you. Indeed, I did say that it is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to reveal gloriously the works of God. 12 Now when you and your daughter-in-law Sarah prayed, I brought the remembrance of your prayer before the Holy One. When you also buried the dead, I was likewise present with you. 13 Then too, when you did not hesitate to stand up and leave your dinner so as to depart and care for the dead, your doing what is good did not escape me; but I was with you. 14 Now God sent me to heal you and Sarah your daughter-in-law. 15 I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who report the prayers of the saints and who enter before the glory of the Holy One.”

16 The two of them were troubled and fell upon their faces, for they were afraid. 17 But he said to them, “Do not be afraid, for peace shall be with you. But bless God forever. 18 For I did not come of my own good will, but rather by the will of our God. Therefore bless Him forever. 19 All these days I appeared to you I did not eat or drink; but you were seeing a vision. 20 Now give thanks to God, because I am ascending to Him who sent me. Write in a book everything that was accomplished.” 21 Then they stood up, but no longer saw him. 22 They acknowledged the great and wondrous works of God, and how the angel of the Lord had appeared to them.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should note that the fish’s gall is used as an instrument of God’s healing here, and once again is an early shadow of the coming Incarnation of the Messiah, the Christ, Who brings sight to the blind. Apart from this, we see a great deal of the role of the angels in what Raphael says when he reveals himself to Tobit and Tobias. We see him teach them, offering guidance in how they should live. We see him talk about how he was with Tobit when he was caring for the poor and burying the dead, and we see him talk about how he carried his prayers and Sarah’s to the throne of God, and was then sent as God’s messenger to answer those prayers. We see him affirm that thanks is not due to him, but to God, Who has worked through him, and in this he refuses worship or honor for himself, but directs them to worship God alone. We see him affirm that he is indeed bodiless, as he tells them that he never actually ate anything, but that they saw a vision that made it look like he was. And finally we see him tell them to write everything that happened down in a book, which explains why we have this book that we have been reading.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 2 (Wednesday)

Letter of St. Ignatius to the Ephesians – 7

Last time, Ignatius urged the Christians in Ephesus to devote themselves above all to the giving of thanks together, which is to say, to the celebration of the Eucharist (which means thanksgiving) as one body of Faithful. He said that this action, as often as possible, was the best and most appropriate response to evil in the world, and that the peace that God gave to them, which they would receive within themselves and amongst themselves as they celebrated the Eucharist, would bring an end to all warfare. In short, he tells them not to try to fight the brokenness of the world with their own strength, but to offer themselves to the Lord in thanksgiving, and to be reconciled to Him themselves, and that in so doing, they will become vessels of the Lord’s grace and action in the world to heal all that is broken. In these paragraphs that follow, he continues to develop this point.

Words versus Actions

None of these things escapes your notice, if you have perfect faith and love toward Jesus Christ. For these are the beginning and the end of life: faith is the beginning and love is the end, and the two, when they exist in unity, are God. Everything else that contributes to excellence follows from them. No one professing faith sins, nor does anyone possessing love hate. The tree is known by its fruit; thus those who profess to be Christ’s will be recognized by their actions. For the work is a matter not of what one promises now, but of persevering to the end in the power of faith.

It is better to be silent and be real than to talk and not be real. It is good to teach, if one does what one says. Now there is one Teacher, who spoke and it happened; indeed, even the things that He has done in silence are worthy of the Father. The one who truly possesses the word of Jesus is also able to hear His silence, so that he may be perfect, so that he may act through what he says and be known through his silence. Nothing is hidden from the Lord; even our secrets are close to Him. Therefore let us do everything with the knowledge that He dwells in us, in order that we may be His temples, and He may be in us as our God – as, in fact, He really is, as will be made clear in our sight by the love that we justly have for Him.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should note that in this passage, we see Ignatius further developing the point that their life, and our life, as Christians, is not about what we do, but rather is about God’s action and life within us. The fruit that will be seen in our lives, then, is not something that we seek to take credit for; it is the fruit that the Lord will bring forth in us and through us when we offer ourselves truly to Him. We can see this difference more clearly if we notice what Ignatius is NOT saying. He’s not telling them to raise a ruckus, to knock on doors, to write letters or organize demonstrations or plan revolts or rally the oppressed. He’s telling them to devote themselves to worship, to faith, to love, to be silent and real, and to offer themselves to God in thanksgiving, and to then see what the Lord will accomplish. The point is God’s action, not ours; what we need to do is surrender ourselves to God.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 3 (Friday)

Luke 18:18-43

Last time we saw Jesus urging His disciples to pray, with fervent persistence like the widow, with humble repentance like the tax collector, and with the lowliness and simplicity of a child. This time, we will see Him continue to speak to those around Him as He makes His way toward Jerusalem and His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

The Rich Ruler

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’” 21 He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.”
28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

31 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. 33 After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.” 34 But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar Near Jericho

35 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth[d] is passing by.” 38 Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me see again.” 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” 43 Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

Discussion Questions

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should point out that this passage follows immediately on the scene in which the disciples are keeping the children from the Lord, and He rebukes them, saying that the kingdom of God is for children, and unless one approaches the kingdom of God in the manner of a child, they will have no part in it. Remembering that, we can see the story of this rich young ruler as further explaining what it means to approach the kingdom of God like a child; following God is not just a matter of obeying the commandments and avoiding sin, but of actually becoming weak, and poor, and depending solely on the Lord for our life and salvation. In short, as an infant depends on its parents, so too we need to entrust ourselves to the Lord. The story of the Blind Beggar, whose persistent prayers for the Lord to have mercy on him are often cited as one of the origins of the Jesus Prayer, is another example of this sort of humble faith, illustrating in actual examples the points that the Lord has been making in parables and teachings.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 1 (Monday)

Tobit 7:1-17; 8:1-21

Last time we saw Tobias catch a fish, and then Raphael told him about Sarah, and urged him to go and marry her. When Tobias expressed concern about being dead husband #8, Raphael told him how to chase the demon away…so this time, we’ll see what a wedding looked like for faithful Jews in exile, and how Tobias and Sarah manage their wedding night.

At the House of Raguel

7:1 Then they went to Ecbatana and came to the house of Raguel. Sarah went ahead to meet them, and after they greeted one another, she escorted them into the house. 2 Raguel said to Edna his wife, “How the young man resembles my cousin Tobit!” 3 Then Raguel asked them, “Where are you from, brothers?” They answered, “We are from the sons of Naphtali who are captives in Nineveh.” 4 Then he said to them, “Do you know Tobit our brother?” They responded, “We know him.” 5 Then he asked, “Is he in good health?” They answered, “He is alive and in good health.” Tobias then added, “He is my father.”

6 Raguel jumped up and kissed him and wept. He blessed him and said to him, “You are the son of a good and noble man!” But when he heard that Tobit had lost his eyesight, he was grieved and wept. 7 Edna his wife and Sarah his daughter also wept, and they received them eagerly. 8 And they killed a ram from the sheep and set many dishes before them.

9 Then Tobias said to Raphael, “Brother Azarias, speak about what you said on the way, and let the matter be completed.” 10 So he told Raguel what he said, and Raguel said to Tobias, “Eat, drink, and be glad, for it is fitting for you to marry my child. However, I must tell you the truth. 11 I gave my daughter to seven men, and when they went in to her, they died during the night. But for now, be glad!” 12 But Tobias said, “I will not eat anything until after you establish an agreement with me.” So Raguel said, “Receive her according to the decree, for you are her relative and she is yours. The merciful God will prosper you in what is good.”

Tobias and Sarah Are Wed

13 So he called Sarah his daughter, and taking her by the hand, he gave her to be a wife for Tobias. Then he said, “Behold, receive her according to the decree of Moses, and bring her before your father.” He then blessed them 14 and summoned his wife Edna. She took a scroll and wrote out the agreement. They sealed it, and then they began to eat.

15 After this, Raguel called his wife Edna and said to her, “Sister, prepare the other room and lead her into it.” 16 She did as he said and led her there. Then Sarah wept, but Edna understood the tears of her daughter and said to her, 17 “Be courageous, my child. May the Lord of heaven and earth give you grace instead of this sorrow of yours. Be courageous, my daughter.”

8:1 When they finished dining, they led Tobias to her. 2 As he went, he remembered the words of Raphael, and put the heart and the liver of the fish upon the embers of the incense and made smoke. 3 When the demon smelled the fragrant scent, he fled to the upper parts of Egypt, and there the angel bound him. 4 While both were enclosed in the room, Tobias rose up from the bed and said, “Arise, sister, and let us pray that the Lord will have mercy upon us.” 5 So Tobias began to pray, saying:

“Blessed are You, O God of our fathers, and blessed is Your holy and glorious name unto the ages. The heavens and all Your creatures bless You.
6 You made Adam and gave him Eve as a helper, his wife as a support. From them the seed of mankind came to be. You said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. Let Us make a helper for him like himself.’
7 O Lord, I now take this my sister as my wife, not on account of fornication, but in truth. Command that she and I may have mercy, and in this grow old together.”
8 And with him she said, “Amen.” 9 Then both fell asleep for the night.

10 But Raguel rose up and went outside and dug a grave, saying, “He, too, may have died.” 11 Raguel then went back into his house 12 and said to his wife Edna, “Send one of the maids and let her see if indeed Tobias is alive. If he is not, let us bury him that no one may know.” 13 So the maid went to the door, and when she opened it she found both of them sleeping. 14 She came out and told the two of them that he was alive.

15 Then Raguel blessed God, saying: “Blessed are You, the God, with every pure and holy blessing. Your holy ones and all Your creatures bless You. All Your angels and Your chosen ones bless You unto all the ages. 16 Blessed are You, for You have made me glad, and it did not turn out for me as I suspected. Rather, You did with us according to Your abundant mercy. 17 Blessed are You, for You had mercy on our two only children. O Lord, show them mercy, and complete their life in health and with gladness and mercy.”
18 Then he ordered his household servants to fill in the grave.

19 After this he provided a wedding feast for them lasting fourteen days. 20 Before the time of the wedding feast was over, Raguel swore an oath and said to Tobias, “You are not to leave from here unless the two of you stay the fourteen days of the wedding feast. 21 At that time take half of my belongings and go in good health to your father. The remainder will be yours when I and my wife die.”

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should note that we see the demon flee even the hint of the Lord’s coming that is present in the smoke from the fish heart and liver, and therefore we may be assured that, when we are faithful to God, we do not need to be afraid of the attacks of the demons. More importantly, we see how Tobias and Sarah begin their marriage in faithfulness to God, with a prayer, affirming their commitment to the Lord and to one another. The final words of the prayer are what they ask for, and it is a good summary of what Christian marriage is: not for fornication, that is, not to use one another, but to be devoted to each other, and to seek and receive mercy from God, and to grow old in that mercy, in the love of the Lord.)

2) What do we learn about God in this reading?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this reading?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 2 (Wednesday)

Letter of St. Ignatius to the Ephesians – 6

Last time, Ignatius urged the Christians in Ephesus to be faithful to God, either out of fear of the judgment that was coming, or in thanksgiving for the grace and love that was already present. This time he speaks more about how important it is for them to BE what they are called to be, to gather in worship and thanksgiving to God, and of the power of the Lord in their midst to overthrow the power and destructiveness of the enemy.

Ignatius and the Ephesians

I know who I am and to whom I am writing. I am a convict; you have received mercy. I am in danger; you are secure. You are the highway of those who are being killed for God’s sake; you are fellow initiates of Paul, who was sanctified, who was approved, who is deservedly blessed – may I be found in his footsteps when I reach God! – who in every letter remembers you in Christ Jesus.

Frequent and Harmonious Meetings

Therefore make every effort to come together more frequently to give thanks and glory to God. For when you meet together frequently, the powers of Satan are overthrown and his destructiveness is nullified by the unanimity of your faith. There is nothing better than peace, by which all warfare among those in heaven and those on earth is abolished.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should note that Ignatius is effectively telling them how they should go about combating the evil around them: by gathering more often to worship God. He says that when they gather for the Eucharist (since that is what it means to give thanks), the love of God in their midst overthrows and abolishes all destruction, all evil, all warfare, and brings peace to both heaven and earth. This is, in short, the same lesson that we saw in Tobias’ wedding in the Day 1 reading…thanksgiving and worship of God drove away the demon and brought peace and wholeness where there had been death and brokenness before. The same remains true now…if we are troubled by anything that we see around us in the world, the remedy is to be faithful, to pray, and to gather for worship, celebrating the Eucharist, and reconciling ourselves with the Lord. This is the only certain way for us to make the world a better place.)

2) What do we learn about God in this reading?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this reading?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 3 (Friday)

Luke 18:1-17

Last time Jesus warned His disciples about the many troubles that would come after His Passion, including the destruction of Jerusalem, and the need for them to flee when their fellow Jews proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and the time for a rebellion against the Romans. This time, He will offer them encouragement, and guide them in how to find strength in every trouble.

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge

18 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus Blesses Little Children

15 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. 16 But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

Discussion Questions

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should point out that in all three of these sayings, the two parables AND the response to the children, Jesus is making the same point. The remedy to trouble in the world is prayer, putting our trust in the Lord. The first parable reminds them that persistence in prayer pays off even when the judge is unjust, so how much more will it “work” when the judge is our Father, Who loves us. The second reminds them what sort of prayer is valuable; not the sort that congratulates themselves for their holiness, but rather the sort that confesses sin and places trust wholly in the Lord for salvation. The third point, with the children, further illustrates this point, that even when if we have not sinned greatly, we are always still small and weak and needy before the Lord, like children, and that if we cannot approach God with the humility of children, we can have no part in His Kingdom.)

2) What do we learn about God in this story?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this story?

4) What do you find difficult about this story? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always.).

5) Does this story make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 1 (Monday)

Tobit 6:1-19

Last time we saw Tobias, Tobit’s son, go out and find a man to help him on his journey; the man, of course, turned out to be the Archangel Raphael. This time they will start on their journey together, and strange things will occur.

The Journey to Rages

1 They went on the journey and came to the Tigris River. So they spent the evening there. 2 The young man went down to wash himself, and a fish jumped up from the river and was determined to swallow the young man. 3 The angel said to him, “Take hold of the fish.” So the young man grabbed the fish and put it on the bank. 4 Then the angel said to him, “Cut open the fish. Take the heart, the liver, and the gall and put them in a safe place.” 5 The young man did as the angel commanded him. Then they cooked the fish and ate it.

6 After this, they traveled together until they came near to Ecbatana. 7 Then the young man said to the angel, “Brother Azarias, what is the purpose of the liver, the heart, and the gall of the fish?” 8 He replied, “If a demon or an evil spirit troubles anyone, the heart and the liver must be used to make smoke before the man or woman, and that person will never be troubled again. 9 As for the gall, use it to anoint a man who has white films on his eyes, and he will be healed.”

10 As they came near Rages, 11 the angel said to the young man, “Brother, we will spend the night with Raguel. He is your relative and with him is his only child, a daughter named Sarah. 12 I will speak for her that she might be given to you as a wife, because her inheritance belongs to you; for you alone are from her people. The girl is beautiful and she is sensible. 13 “So now listen to me, for I will speak to her father. When we return from Rages, we will celebrate the wedding. For I know that Raguel cannot give her to any other man according to the rule of Moses, or he will be subject to death. Thus it is proper that you receive the inheritance rather than another man.”

14 Then the young man said to the angel, “Brother Azarias, I have heard the girl was given seven husbands, and they all perished in the bridal chamber. 15 Now I am the only son of my father, and I fear for myself lest, entering the bridal chamber, I may die even as those before me. For a demon loves her, and he does not harm anyone except those who approach her. Now I fear for myself lest I die and bring the life of my father and mother down into their tomb with grief and sorrow upon me. They have no other son who will bury them.”

16 But the angel said to him, “Do you not remember the words your father commanded you, to take a wife for yourself from among your people? Now listen to me, brother, for she will be a wife to you. As for the demon, have no concern, for this night she will be given to you as a wife. 17 If you enter the bridal chamber, you will take with you ashes of incense, and lay some of it on the heart and liver of the fish. Then you will make smoke, and the demon will smell it and flee and never return. 18 When you approach her, both of you will rise up and cry out to the merciful God. He will save you and be merciful. Do not fear for yourself, for she has been prepared for you from of old. You will save her and she will go with you. I believe that you will have children by her.” 19 As Tobias heard these words, he loved her and his soul was very much united to her.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should note that the various organs of the fish being used as solutions for the problems is rather strange. We should not understand from this that there is a certain type of river fish whose organs have this particular virtue, but rather that God is choosing to act by means of this fish and its innards, through the obedience of Tobias to the guidance of the angel, to save both Sarah and Tobit. That it is a fish, and not some other animal, may be seen as a veiled prophecy of Christ Himself (Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς Θεοῦ Υἱὸς Σωτήρ), Himself the ΙΧΘΥΣ (fish), through whom the blind see, demons are driven away, marriage is transformed, and those who trust in Him are saved. We should also note here the strange, but important-to-recognize, connection between demonic action and sexual immorality. Tobias here says that “a demon loves [Sarah], and attacks those who approach her.” This is similar verbiage to what we will see in the coming year in the prelude to Noah, when it says that the fallen angels desired the daughters of men. We don’t need to discuss this in detail now, but we need to note it, since it will show up again.)

2) What do we learn about God in this reading?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this reading?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 2 (Wednesday)

Letter of St. Ignatius to the Ephesians – 5

Last time Ignatius told the Christians in Ephesus that they needed to treat with love and humility and grace those who treated them badly and persecuted them. He goes further this time to explain why this is so.

The Last Times: Both Cosmic and Personal

These are the last times. Therefore let us be reverent; let us fear the patience of God, lest it become a judgment against us. For let us either fear the wrath to come or love the grace that is present, one of the two; only let us be found in Christ Jesus, which leads to true life. Let nothing appeal to you apart from him, in whom I carry around these chains (my spiritual pearls!), by which I hope, through your prayers, to rise again. May I always share in them, in order that I may be found in the company of the Christians of Ephesus, who have always been in agreement with the apostles by the power of Jesus Christ.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should note that we Ignatius’ instructions this week connect closely to what he said last week; we are to treat even our enemies with love and graciousness, because these are the last times, and nothing matters except remaining faithful to the Lord. Certainly revenge and “fairness” and so forth are entirely irrelevant when weighed against the imminent coming of the Lord. As encouragement to ourselves to be faithful, then, we can choose either fear or love: fear of the judgment to come, or love and gratitude for the grace of the Lord. But we must choose one or the other, lest we instead give ourselves over to the many broken things that seem natural to us: anger, defensiveness, and hatred of those who wrong us. We must follow Christ, even to the Cross, even when, or rather especially when, it seems unnatural or impossible to do so.)

2) What do we learn about God in this reading?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this reading?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 3 (Friday)

Luke 17:20-37

Last time we saw Jesus preparing His disciples for their ministry and their eventual martyrdoms with the guidance He was giving to them. As He continues on His way to Jerusalem for His Passion, He is approached by Pharisees who want to trap Him into claiming that He is about to establish the Kingdom of God (which would allow them to report Him to the Romans and get rid of Him). He will respond briefly to them, avoiding their trap, and then will speak in more detail to the Disciples about His actual coming, and also the horror that will result from the sort of kingdom that the Pharisees are looking for, prophesying the rebellion of the Jewish people against the Romans in the 60’s A.D., and the destruction and death that will result.

The Coming of the Kingdom

20 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”

22 Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation.

26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them 30 —it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.

31 On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34 I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” 37 Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

Discussion Questions

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should point out that Jesus gives an answer to the question of “when the kingdom of God is coming” to both the Pharisees and to His disciples. To the Pharisees, He tells them that they’re looking for the wrong thing if they are looking for signs of the coming of the Kingdom…because He is already there, the King of glory in their midst, and they aren’t able to see Him. To His disciples, He addresses the question of when He will come to finally rule, and tells them that when that day comes, there will be no doubt…but that long before that happens, He will be rejected by “this generation,” which is to say, by the people who have just been talking to Him, by the Pharisees and the others with them. He then warns them that after that, there will come a day of judgment, the day of the Son of Man that Daniel foretold, when that same generation will CLAIM that the Messiah has come, and that that day will be a day of horror and judgment and death, and they are to flee the city immediately when they start to see people talking about how the Messiah is coming. We also know that this is exactly what the Christians in Jerusalem did in the 60’s A.D., when there was a proclamation of the Messiah’s coming, and a rebellion against the Romans; when this happened, all the Christians fled the city, and did not take part in the rebellion. As a result, the Christians survived, when everyone who remained in the city was starved, killed, or enslaved.)

2) What do we learn about God in this story?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this story?

4) What do you find difficult about this story? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always.).

5) Does this story make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 1 (Monday)

Tobit 5:1-23

Last time we saw Tobit give Tobias his inheritance; which is to say, he passed on to him all the wisdom about how to live a faithful and blessed life that he had, and then gave him instructions where to find the last money that he had saved for him. This time, we will start to get to know Tobias as he responds; and we will also see God’s messenger, the angel Raphael, enter the scene.

Tobias Obeys His Father

1 Tobias answered him and said, “O father, I will do everything you have commanded me. 2 But how will I be able to obtain the silver, for I do not know him?” 3 Then he gave him the record of the debt and said to him, “Find for yourself a man who will travel with you, and I will pay him his wages as long as I remain alive. Now go and obtain the silver.” 4 Then Tobias went to look for a man and found Raphael, who was an angel. But he did not know it.

5 So Tobias said to him, “Can you go with me to Rages of Media? Are you acquainted with those places?” 6 The angel said to him, “I will go with you. I am acquainted with the roadways and I have lodged with our brother Gabael.” 7 Tobias said to him, “Wait for me and I will tell my father.” 8 He said to him, “Do so, but do not delay.” 9 So he went to his father and said, “Behold, I have found someone who will go with me.” But his father said, “Call him to me, that I may know what tribe he belongs to, and if he is trustworthy enough to go with you.”

10 So he invited him, and Raphael came in. They greeted one another cordially. 11 Tobit then said to him, “Brother, to what tribe and kindred do you belong?” 12 Raphael responded, “Do you seek a tribe and a family, or a hired man to go with your son?” Tobit replied, “Brother, I wish to know your people and your name.” 13 Then he said, “I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the Great, one of your relatives.”

14 So Tobit said to him, “You are most welcome, my brother. Do be not angry with me for seeking to learn of your tribe and your family. As it turns out, you are a brother of mine from a good and upright family. For I knew Ananias and Jonathan, the sons of Shemiah the Great, since we would journey in common to Jerusalem to worship and to offer the firstborn and the tenth of our harvest. They were not led astray in the deception of our brothers. My brother, you are from a good root. 15 “But tell me, what shall I give you as wages? A drachma a day and expenses for you and my son? 16 I will even add more to your pay, if you both return in good health.” 17 Thus they were well pleased.

Then he said to Tobias, “Prepare for the journey, and may it be prosperous.” So his son prepared the things for the journey. Then his father said to him, “Go with this man, and may the God who dwells in heaven prosper your journey. May His angel journey with you.” They both departed, and the young man's dog went with them.

18 But Anna his mother wept and said to Tobit, “Why have you sent our son away, or is he not the staff of our hands when he goes in and out before us? 19 Do not attain silver upon silver, but may it be dirt compared to our son. 20 For as he was given to us to live by the Lord, this is sufficient for our existence.” 21 Tobit said to her, “My sister, do not be concerned. He shall return in good health, and your eyes will see him. 22 For a good angel will go with him, and his journey shall be prosperous. He will return in good health.” 23 So she ceased weeping.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should note the exchange between the angel and Tobit about what tribe he is from. Tobit is, as it turns out, trying to figure out what kind of person this “man” is, and most especially whether he is faithful, or faithless. Raphael calls attention to this for us, asking him why he cares, if he’s just looking for a hired man. When Tobit persists (without giving a reason, but still insisting), Raphael gives him the name of another faithful Israelite, and Tobit rejoices, specifically for this reason. This allows us to see how carefully Tobit guards against faithlessness; he works hard not to allow even any evil influence to come to his son. We can point out, too, that Tobit’s faith, that God will protect his son by “sending a good angel with him” doesn’t mean that he knows Raphael is an angel himself, but only that he trusts God to protect his son. That he’s already spoken with that angel God is sending is unknown to him…but he’s not wrong in the least about God’s faithfulness.)

2) What do we learn about God in this reading?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this reading?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 2 (Wednesday)

Letter of St. Ignatius to the Ephesians – 4

So far, St. Ignatius has been warning the Christians in Ephesus about how they should trust and submit to their bishop, and be wary of false teachers coming in to lead them astray. At this point in the letter, he turns to more practical matters, and gives guidance in how they should interact with those outside of the Church, especially when being mistreated by them. Since the Christians at this time were undergoing an active persecution, this is not just theoretical advice, but very real. Ignatius’ advice would have a strong authority on this subject, since he was himself DOING what he tells others to do here.

Response to Maltreatment

Pray continually for the rest of humankind as well, that they may find God, for there is in them hope for repentance. Therefore allow them to be instructed by you, at least by your deeds. In response to their anger, be gentle; in response to their boasts, be humble; in response to their slander, offer prayers; in response to their errors, be steadfast in the faith; in response to their cruelty, be civilized; do not be eager to imitate them. Let us show by our forbearance that we are their brothers and sisters, and let us be eager to be imitators of the Lord, to see who can be the more wronged, who the more cheated, who the more rejected, in order that no weed of the devil may be found among you, but that with complete purity and self-control you may abide in Christ Jesus physically and spiritually.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should note that the way of living that St. Ignatius advises here is exceptionally difficult. It might be worth asking everyone to reflect on what this might look like in their own lives, if there is an example of a situation in which they are being mistreated or mocked in which they could follow this example of St. Ignatius, and bear witness to Christ and the transforming power of His love by patient endurance of mocking, mistreatment, and suffering. It doesn’t have to be on account of our Faith for us to bear witness to Christ, either…we are called to love our enemies, regardless of why they make themselves our enemies. This is an important discussion, so we purposely selected a shorter selection so as to allow for more time for this.)

2) What do we learn about God in this reading?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this reading?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 3 (Friday)

Luke 17:1-19

This passage continues the recounting of Jesus’ teaching His disciples, and various others along the way to Jerusalem for His passion. This time He is speaking to His disciples specifically, and preparing them for the challenges and temptations of His Passion, and still more for their ministry afterward.

Some Sayings of Jesus

17 Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2 It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4 And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

7 “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? 8 Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? 9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

Discussion Questions

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Most of the pieces of this selection are fairly self-explanatory. Leader should point out about verse 3-4 that it is, in fact, tremendously difficult to implement both halves of the Lord’s instructions. Most of us are very uncomfortable rebuking sin in one another…but if we ever work up the courage to do so, we struggle still more to forgive them if they repent. But the Lord insists that we must do both, and not just once, but even seven times in a single day. The passage regarding the slave, in verses 7-10, is challenging, simply because it assumes the institution of slavery. The Lord is not saying that slavery is good, however; He is simply using a common example to make the point that doing the “bare minimum” required in a job is not worthy of praise…it’s just the bare minimum. We should not content ourselves with just “being good enough” or “being no worse than anyone else around us.” We are called to holiness and faithfulness, to Theosis, to become like the Lord. There is no room for half measures, for “good enough.” We need to be consistent, and we need to be faithful.)

2) What do we learn about God in this story?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this story?

4) What do you find difficult about this story? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always.).

5) Does this story make you think that you need to change anything in your life?