Open In Accepting God's Will

Tobit 11:5-15 & Mk. 12:35-37

Tobit was blinded by a freak accident. He turned to God in prayer for help. His prayer was to be answered when his son, Tobias, returned from his wedding. He brought back with him, at the direction of the angel Raphael, a strange medicine made of fish gall. After smearing the gall on his father’s eyes, the old man's sight was restored. Opticians may scoff at the idea that fish gall has curative powers, but the purpose of the biblical story is not to teach a lesson in medical science but to show one way in which God uses His power in answer to prayer.

God can work directly if He wishes. He can heal without any created intermediary. More often than not, He does work through His creation. But we should not think that there are two separate forces at work in our world, one human and one divine. It is not as if God is at work when there is a direct cure, and man is at work when medicine brings about a cure.

Jesus in the Gospel is proclaimed as Lord, and He is Lord of all creation. When scientific research discovers a wonder drug, when medicine actually works, when the skilled hand of a surgeon is operating, it is always through the power of Christ.

All of us have some experience of sickness, in ourselves or in others. Like Tobit we turn to God in prayer. The best way of praying is not to ask for a cure but to pray that God's will be done. God can work wonders and cure us directly. He may cure us through medicine or through powers given to a doctor. Or it may be His will that there is to be no cure and we have to accept our cross. Whatever the outcome let us not fear for we are in the hands of a loving Father who knows what is best for us and we can be happy in whatever that outcome may be.

We find Jesus in today's Gospel reading teaching in the Temple where scribes are present, not to learn but to find things He might say that they can use to plot against Him. They can see that He acts as though He is the Messiah, even God Himself, but they close their minds to the truth! Using their own Scriptures, He points to this truth: somehow the Messiah will be both son of David and Lord. He is inviting the scribes to rise to the level of faith. Jesus is a son of man by birth, but by origin and mission He is the Lord, the Son of the Most High God. Their pride will not allow Jesus to work at His level, far beyond their comprehension.

Lord Jesus, open our hearts to Your words. Help us to believe even if it hurts or demands that we change our ideas. Raise us above our own prejudices and insecurities. Show us what to change in our lives. We want to do it in order to love You more fully and to delight more deeply in Your friendship and love.