MASS READINGS, JUNE 05, 2021 FIRST READING “And now bless the Lord! Here I am going back to the one who sent me ” A Reading from the book of Tobit (12, 1.5-15.20)

MASS READINGS, JUNE 05, 2021 

FIRST READING 

“And now bless the Lord! Here I am going back to the one who sent me ” 

A Reading from the book of Tobit (12, 1.5-15.20) 

In those days, when the wedding was over, Tobith called his son Tobias and said to him, “My child, consider giving your traveling companion his salary, and add a supplement. Tobith called Raphael and said to him, "Take half of what you brought as wages, and go, be well!" Then the angel took them both aside and said to them, "Bless God and praise him before all living for the good he has done to you." Bless him and sing his name. Announce to all men the actions of God as they deserve, and do not hesitate to celebrate it. While it is good to keep the secrets of a king hidden, it is necessary to reveal the works of God and celebrate them as they deserve. Do good, and evil will not get to you. Better to pray in truth and give alms in righteousness, than to be rich with injustice. Better to give alms than to collect gold. Almsgiving delivers from death and cleanses from all sin. Those who give alms will be filled with life, while the sinner and the unjust are their own enemies. I want to reveal the whole truth to you, without hiding anything from you. I just told you that, if it is good to keep the secrets of a king hidden, it is necessary to reveal the works of God as they deserve. Well ! When you prayed at the same time as Sarra, it was I who presented your prayer before the glory of God, so that he would remember it, and I did the same when you buried the dead. When you did not hesitate to get up, to leave your meal and to go and bury a dead person, it is then that I was sent to you to test you, but God also sent me to heal you, as well as Sarra, your daughter-in-law. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand or present themselves before the glory of the Lord. And now bless the Lord on earth! Celebrate God! Here I am going back to the one who sent me. Write down everything that has happened to you. Then the angel went back to heaven.   

- Word of the Lord.

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