Tobit 7:1-5: a reflection

1They came to Ecbatana, and arrived at the house of Raguel. But Sarah met them; and she greeted them, and they her. Then she brought them into the house. 2Raguel said to Edna his wife, “This young man really resembles Tobit my cousin!” 3And Raguel asked them, “Where are you two from, kindred?” They said to him, “We are of the sons of Naphtali, who are captives in Nineveh.” 4He said to them, “Do you know Tobit our brother?” They said, “We know him.” Then he said to them, “Is he in good health?” 5They said, “He is both alive, and in good health.” Tobias said, “He is my father.”

When Tobias and his companion arrive at the house of Raguel, they are met with warm and glad hospitality. Sarah greets them and brings them in; Raguel, struck by how much Tobias resembles his kinsman Tobit, welcomes them warmly, asks where they are from, and, learning they know his relative Tobit, eagerly asks after his health. And when he learns that Tobias is Tobit's own son, the welcome deepens into joy. It is a scene of glad hospitality and the warmth of recognizing kinship, of welcoming others and delighting in the connection.

Notice the warmth of Raguel's welcome, and his delight in recognizing kinship. He does not receive the travelers coldly or grudgingly; he welcomes them warmly, brings them in, inquires after them with genuine interest, and rejoices to find they are connected to him through his kinsman Tobit. The recognition of kinship, of a shared connection, deepens his welcome into gladness. His hospitality is warm and glad, and it grows warmer still with the joy of recognizing that these are his own kin. Welcome and the gladness of kinship fill the scene.

That warm hospitality and gladness in kinship are worth taking to heart, for we are called to welcome others gladly and to delight in our connections. We can receive others coldly or grudgingly, without warmth or genuine interest; but Raguel welcomed the travelers warmly and rejoiced to recognize his kinship with them. Welcome others with warmth and genuine interest, as Raguel welcomed Tobias, rather than coldly or grudgingly; and delight in the connections you find with others, the kinship and shared bonds that gladden a welcome. Let your hospitality be warm and glad, and rejoice in the connections you share with others, as Raguel welcomed the travelers warmly and his joy grew as he recognized his kinship with them; for warm welcome and gladness in our connections with others reflect a heart open to people, as Raguel's was open to the kin who came to his door.

Lord, when Tobias and his companion arrive at the house of Raguel, they are met with warm and glad hospitality. Sarah greets them and brings them in; Raguel, struck by how much Tobias resembles his kinsman Tobit, welcomes them warmly, asks where they are from, and, learning they know his relative Tobit, eagerly asks after his health. And when he learns that Tobias is Tobit's own son, the welcome deepens into joy. It is a scene of glad hospitality and the warmth of recognizing kinship. Show me the warmth of Raguel's welcome, and his delight in recognizing kinship. He does not receive the travelers coldly; he welcomes them warmly, inquires after them with genuine interest, and rejoices to find they are connected to him. The recognition of kinship deepens his welcome into gladness. His hospitality is warm and glad. Take that warm hospitality and gladness to my heart, for I am called to welcome others gladly and to delight in my connections. I can receive others coldly or grudgingly, without warmth or genuine interest; but Raguel welcomed the travelers warmly and rejoiced to recognize his kinship with them. Help me welcome others with warmth and genuine interest, Lord, as Raguel welcomed Tobias, rather than coldly or grudgingly; and help me delight in the connections I find with others. Let my hospitality be warm and glad, and help me rejoice in the connections I share with others, as Raguel welcomed the travelers warmly.