Tobias and the Angel Raphael

Long ago, a good man named Tobit lived far from his homeland, in the city of Nineveh. He shared his food with hungry people, and he buried people who had died with no one to bury them, even when that was dangerous. But one day something fell into Tobit's eyes, white patches grew over them, and he became blind.

Tobit had once left some money with a relative far away in the land of Media, so he sent his son Tobias to bring it back. Tobias found a young man who knew the way. Tobias did not know it yet, but his new guide was really the angel Raphael, sent by God.

Tobias's mother, Anna, cried as they left, but Tobit told her God would bring their son home safely. Tobias's dog trotted along with them.

One evening they camped by the Tigris River. When Tobias went down to wash, a huge fish leaped out at him! Raphael told him to grab it, and then to keep the fish's heart, liver and gall, because they could be used as medicine.

In the city of Ecbatana lived Tobias's relative Raguel and his daughter Sarah. Sarah had been sad for a long time, because an evil spirit had troubled her. Raphael told Tobias that Sarah was meant to be his wife, and he showed him how to drive the evil spirit away. Tobias and Sarah got married. Tobias did what Raphael had said, the evil spirit fled, and then he and Sarah prayed together, asking God to protect them. Sarah's family held a great wedding feast, and Raphael collected the money.

At home, Anna watched the road every day. At last she saw her son coming! Raphael told Tobias to put the fish's gall on his father's eyes. Tobias did, the white patches came off, and Tobit could see again! He hugged his son and praised God.

Then Raphael told them who he really was: an angel sent by God to help them. He told them to thank God always, and then he was gone.

God hears our prayers and sends help, even when we don't see it.