Catholic Commentary on Tobit 14

"Blessed are all who love you, and blessed are all who rejoice in your prosperity." (Tobit 14:7)

Tobit's Final Instructions and Death

Tobit instructs Tobias in his final years: leave Nineveh, for the prophets foretold its destruction. Go to Media; Nineveh will be desolate. Bury me decently. When you have children, give alms and do not sin against God. Practice justice all the days of your life. Give alms from your possessions; turn your heart to God and do not be afraid. Do not fear the enemy. My son, remember what Nadab did to Ahikar who raised him. When Tobit died at 112, Tobias buried him and Anna and went to Ecbatana to his father-in-law. Raguel and Edna died at peace. Tobias lived to see the fall of Nineveh, which he celebrated. He died at 117 years, having lived to see Nineveh's destruction. Blessed are all who love you, and blessed are all who rejoice in your prosperity.

The Catechism identifies the book of Tobit as one of the richest Old Testament sources for the theology of family life, almsgiving, prayer, and the communion of the Church across generations (CCC 1611).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, Tobit's life was a parable of faithfulness rewarded through suffering and patience. He buried the dead, fasted, prayed, gave alms, and lost his sight. He was healed, reunited with his son, and saw his grandchildren. The arc of the faithful life is long but it bends toward blessing. Blessed are all who love God.

Prayer

Lord God, blessed are all who love you and all who rejoice in your prosperity. Give us Tobit's faithfulness through the blindness and the angel's healing, through the suffering and the restoration. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

14
1 And the words of Tobias were ended. And after Tobias was restored to his sight, he lived two and forty years, and saw the children of his grandchildren. 2 And after he had lived a hundred and two years, he was buried honourably in Ninive. 3 For he was six and fifty years old when he lost the sight of his eyes, and sixty when he recovered it again. 4 And the rest of his life was in joy, and with great increase of the fear of God he departed in peace. 5 And at the hour of his death he called unto him his son Tobias and his children, seven young men, his grandsons, and said to them: 6 The destruction of Ninive is at hand: for the word of the Lord must be fulfilled: and our brethren, that are scattered abroad from the land of Israel, shall return to it. 7 And all the land thereof that is desert shall be filled with people, and the house of God which is burnt in it, shall again be rebuilt: and all that fear God shall return thither. 8 And the Gentiles shall leave their idols, and shall come into Jerusalem, and shall dwell in it. 9 And all the kings of the earth shall rejoice in it, adoring the King of Israel. 10 Hearken therefore, my children, to your father: serve the Lord in truth, and seek to do the things that please him: 11 And command your children that they do justice and almsdeeds, and that they be mindful of God, and bless him at all times in truth, and with all their power. 12 And now, children, hear me, and do not stay here: but as soon as you shall bury your mother by me in one sepulchre, without delay direct your steps to depart hence: 13 For I see that its iniquity will bring it to destruction. 14 And it came to pass that after the death of his mother, Tobias departed out of Ninive with his wife, and children, and children’s children, and returned to his father and mother in law. 15 And he found them in health in a good old age: and he took care of them, and he closed their eyes: and all the inheritance of Raguel’s house came to him: and he saw his children’s children to the fifth generation. 16 And after he had lived ninety-nine years in the fear of the Lord, with joy they buried him. 17 And all his kindred, and all his generation continued in good life, and in holy conversation, so that they were acceptable both to God, and to men, and to all that dwelt in the land.

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