Tobit 5:16-22: a reflection

16And so they agreed. And he said to Tobias, “Prepare yourself for the journey. May God prosper you.” So his son prepared what was needful for the journey, and his father said to him, “Go with this man; but God, who dwells in heaven, will prosper your journey. May his angel go with you.” Then they both departed, and the young man’s dog went with them. 17But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, “Why have you sent away our child? Isn’t he the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us? 18Don’t be greedy to add money to money; but let it be as refuse compared to our child. 19For what the Lord has given us to live is enough for us.” 20Tobit said to her, “Don’t worry, my sister. He will return safe and sound, and your eyes will see him. 21For a good angel will go with him. His journey will be prospered, and he will return safe and sound.” 22So she stopped weeping.

As Tobias sets out on a long and dangerous journey, accompanied, though they do not know it, by an angel, his mother Anna weeps to see her son go. But Tobit reassures her with confidence in God's care: Don't worry, my sister. He will return safe and sound, and your eyes will see him. For a good angel will go with him. Unseen by them, God's protection went with Tobias on his journey; and Tobit, though he could not see it, trusted that God was watching over his son, entrusting the boy he loved to God's unseen care.

Notice Tobit's trust: he entrusted his son to God's unseen care and protection. Anna wept, fearing for the son she was sending away; and her fear was natural, for the journey was long and dangerous. But Tobit trusted that God's protection, though unseen, went with Tobias, that a good angel accompanied him. He entrusted his son to God's care, believing that God was watching over the boy on his journey, even though he himself could not see the protection that went with him. His trust rested on God's unseen care over the one he loved.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too can entrust those we love to God's unseen care as they go from us. When those we love go from us, into situations we cannot control or watch over, our hearts can be anxious, like Anna's, fearing for them; but we can entrust them to God's unseen care, as Tobit trusted that a good angel went with his son. God watches over those we love even where we cannot, and we can commit them to his care. When those you love go into situations beyond your watching, do not only worry; entrust them to God's unseen care, as Tobit committed his son to the God who was protecting him. Entrust those you love to God's unseen care and protection when they go from you, rather than being consumed with worry, as Tobit trusted that a good angel accompanied his son on the journey; for God watches over those we love even where we cannot, and we can commit them to his care.

Lord, as Tobias sets out on a long and dangerous journey, accompanied, though they do not know it, by an angel, his mother Anna weeps to see her son go. But Tobit reassures her with confidence in your care: don't worry, my sister; he will return safe and sound, and your eyes will see him; for a good angel will go with him. Unseen by them, your protection went with Tobias on his journey; and Tobit, though he could not see it, trusted that you were watching over his son, entrusting the boy he loved to your unseen care. Show me Tobit's trust: he entrusted his son to your unseen care and protection. Anna wept, fearing for the son she was sending away; and her fear was natural, for the journey was long and dangerous. But Tobit trusted that your protection, though unseen, went with Tobias. He entrusted his son to your care, believing that you were watching over the boy, even though he himself could not see the protection that went with him. Take that to my heart, for I too can entrust those I love to your unseen care as they go from me. When those I love go from me, into situations I cannot control or watch over, my heart can be anxious, like Anna's, fearing for them; but I can entrust them to your unseen care, as Tobit trusted that a good angel went with his son. You watch over those I love even where I cannot. When those I love go into situations beyond my watching, keep me from only worrying; help me entrust them to your unseen care, Lord, as Tobit committed his son to you.