Story 46 of 100 · Based on Tobit 5–12
Tobias and the Angel Raphael
Tobit was a good man who had lost his sight. One day he called his son Tobias and asked him to make a long journey to collect some money he had left in a faraway place.
—Father, I will do everything you tell me —Tobias said.
Tobias went out to look for someone to go with him. He found a young man named Azariah. But what Tobias did not know was that this young man was, in fact, the angel Raphael.
Tobit sent his son off with these words:
—May the Lord guide you and may his angel go with you.
And they set out, and Tobias' dog followed them. Beside the Tigris river, a big fish leaped toward Tobias, and the angel told him to catch it. They kept the gall, the heart and the liver of the fish. Further on, Tobias married a good young woman named Sarah.
When Tobias returned home, his mother saw him coming. Raphael told Tobias to rub his father's eyes with the gall of the fish they had caught. Tobias did so, and Tobit regained his sight.
—Blessed be God! —Tobit exclaimed.
Tobit and Tobias wanted to give Raphael half of everything they had brought back. Then the young man spoke to them:
—Bless God, give him thanks. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand before the Lord.
They were both frightened.
—Do not be afraid —the angel told them—. Peace be with you. Bless God forever.
Tobias had traveled with company, without knowing it, an angel whom God had sent.
Let's talk: God sent Raphael to take care of Tobias. Did you know that you have an angel who takes care of you?
Every night you can say: "Angel of God, my guardian dear." Goodnight.