Tobit is deported to Assyria: He remained faithful to God.
9th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, June 5th
Tobit 1:3; 2:1-8 / Mark 12:1-12
After Solomon's death in 922 B. C., a civil war split the 12 tribes of Israel into two rival nations: the North and the South. In 722 B.C. Assyrian armies conquered the North and deported many Jews to Assyria as laborers. Tobit, whose story we begin in today's reading was among those deported. Many deported Jews
compromised their faith in Assyria. Tobit, his wife Anna, and his son Tobiah, however, remained faithful. For example, they buried the dead according to Jewish custom.
Once Tobit narrowly escaped execution for performing this work of mercy. In today's reading, he takes this risk again.
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Do we let others intimidate us in the practice of our faith? Jesus said, "Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father." Matthew 10:32
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Saint Boniface
Boniface, who was baptized Winfrid, lived in the eighth
century. He was a brilliant monk in a Benedictine monastery in England. He was
the head of a school, but he thought God wanted him to be a missionary. He went
to Frisia (Northern Netherlands and Germany) to begin his work. A war forced
him to return to England for a few years, but he did not give up. Next, he
journeyed to Rome to ask the pope to tell him where to serve. Pope Gregory II
changed Winfrid’s name to Boniface, which means “a man who does good deeds.”
Then he sent Boniface to eastern Germany.
For nearly 35 years, Boniface traveled all over Germany,
preaching, teaching, and building schools, monasteries, and convents. He went
to Rome to report to the pope about his work. There, the pope ordained him
bishop and told him to return to Germany to continue missionary work. Boniface
invited monks and sisters from England to come and help him. The monastery at
Fulda is probably the most famous one started by Boniface.
As an old man, Boniface returned to Frisia to work among the
pagans. One morning, while he was waiting to confirm a group of converts, a
band of angry natives rushed into the church and murdered Boniface and about 50
converts. Today Saint Boniface is the patron of Germany.
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Do not throw the Word away
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter 12 is marked by a growing conflict between Jesus and the religious and political leaders of his time. The chapter begins with a parable directed at that leadership. Its meaning was obvious to those who heard it. The top religious authorities are about to commit a serious crime – capturing and killing Jesus.
After entrusting the vineyard to the peasants, the Lord, the owner of the vineyard, goes far away. It represents the Lord, who has now entrusted his followers with the mission of producing joy. What was expected of these servants entrusted with the vineyard? The Book of Isiah taught them: “Learn to do good; seek the right. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow” (Is 1:17). Those are the fruits that the Lord of the vineyard wanted.
The Lord expects results from his investment that he continues to send his prophets. But Israel rejected them and killed them. The owner of the vineyard loved this vineyard to the extent that, finally, he sent his son. The managers, however, expelled the son and killed him. The parable clearly describes what Jesus foresaw; he realized that the religious authorities were about to take him out of the way and expel him from the vineyard. Jesus was executed outside of the Holy City as if he were someone who contaminated it.
Today our Church communities must be careful because the danger of chasing God’s Son out of the vineyard continues to happen. When we cast the Gospel out of our lives, we cast the Son out of the vineyard. Think of the challenges that confront the sacraments of marriage and family, debates on abortion, and many more issues – some in the Church prefer to follow the values of the world. Gospel values are regarded as outdated and old-fashioned, and many Christians prefer to chase away Christ and his Gospel.
What is the result of throwing the Gospel out of our lives? Wars, crimes, destruction of creation, despair and loneliness. There is a message in this parable for us today. Do not throw the Son away from the vineyard - from our lives.
What welcome do we give to God’s messengers? Do we recognize them when they come? Maybe today, now, would be a good time to listen more carefully than we normally do.
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Prayer
Lord our God, your holy bishop Boniface proclaimed your name with great zeal and was willing to give his life for you. Fill us with his ardor for living your gospel and sharing its riches with others. May we spare no effort to make the gospel believable. We ask you this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen
