Tobit buries a dead man, giving him a proper burial, even though the consequences may be dire for him. Rather than receiving a blessing for such an act, Tobit suffers from a freak accident, as droppings from bird fall on his eyes while he is asleep in his courtyard. When Tobit accuses his wife of falsely acquiring a goat, although she had earned the goat for work she had done, his wife cuts to the heart of what she and his friends believe: What have your good deeds gotten you? How are you being rewarded for the good that you do?
Of course, it is nice to be rewarded or at least recognized for our charitable works and good deeds. But, ultimately, that is not why we do our good works. In our life of faith, we are called to undertake risks and dangers as well. Sometimes, hardships and sufferings will come with these risks.
A life of faith, a life filled with good works and works of mercy, are not assurances of blessings in our lives. Many of the great missionaries in our Church went to faraway lands knowing that danger and risks awaited them. I think of missionaries such as Jean de Brebeuf who ministered to the Huron people of Canada, Father Damien who ministered to the lepers in Hawaii, and Father Daniel Comboni who ministered to the people of the Sudan in Africa. Many of these missionaries suffered greatly while serving God. Many of them died violent or tragic deaths in their service to God. Yet, the faith of these missionaries was so great that they made such sacrifices with joy in their hearts. May we not be afraid to take risks for our faith. May we follow the Lord wherever he calls us with a joyful heart.
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