Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Tobit 13:1-15

Pray the Canticle of Tobit together aloud, alternating verses between two sides.  When finished, share reflections on the canticle as a group

1  Blessed is God who lives forever, and blessed is his kingdom

2  For he afflicts, and he shows mercy; he leads down to Hades, and brings up again, and there is no one who can escape his hand.

3 Acknowledge him before the nations, O sons of Israel; for he has scattered us among them.

4  Make his greatness known there, and exalt him in the presence of all the living; because he is our Lord and God, he is our Father forever.

5 He will afflict us for our iniquities; and again he will show mercy, and will gather us from all the nations among whom you have been scattered.

6  If you turn to him with all your heart and with all your soul, to do what is true before him, then he will turn to you and will not hide his face from you. But see what he will do with you; give thanks to him with your full voice. Praise the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of the ages. I give him thanks in the land of my captivity, and I show his power and majesty to a nation of sinners. Turn back you sinners, and do right before him; who knows if he will accept you and have mercy on you?

7 I exalt my God; my soul exalts the King of heaven, and will rejoice in his majesty.

8  Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones, all of you praise his glory. Celebrate days of joy, and give thanks to him.

9  O Jerusalem, the holy city, he will afflict you for the deeds of your sons, but again he will show mercy to the sons of the righteous.

10 Give thanks worthily to the Lord, and praise the King of the ages, that his tent may be raised for you again with joy. May he cheer those within you who are captives, and love those within you who are distressed, to all generations forever.

11  Many nations will come from afar to the name of the Lord God, bearing gifts in their hands, gifts for the King of heaven. Generations of generations will give you joyful praise.

12  Cursed are all who hate you; blessed forever will be all who love you.

13  Rejoice and be glad for the sons of the righteous; for they will be gathered together, and will praise the Lord of the righteous.

14  How blessed are those who love you!  They will rejoice in your peace. Blessed are those who grieved over all your afflictions; for they will rejoice for you upon seeing all your glory, and they will be made glad forever.

15  Let my soul praise God the great King!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Tobias Heals His Father

Tobit 11

1.       Tobias has been the beneficiary of blessing until Tobit 11:1. Now Tobias becomes the agent of blessing his in-laws. When did I transition from beneficiary to agent of blessing my elders?

2.     The father’s mission for Tobias yielded much more than money. When have I succeeded in accomplishing a mission of my father? Besides the mission itself, what other benefits did I gain along the way?

3.     How am I preparing to launch my own children on a “mission”? What “initiation events” have raised me up, and how do I intend to initiate my children into adulthood?

4.     Upon his return from his father’s mission, Tobias heals his father. How have I participated in the healing of my own father? Are there any ways my children are helping to heal me?

5.     After Tobias’ long journey, Tobit “sees” his son in a whole new light. How do my parents “see” me differently now than in my adolescence? How do I “see” my parents differently now than in my adolescence? What occasioned the transition for them?  For me?

6.     How has my family helped me compensate for “blind spots” in my life? How do I “see” my children better than I used to? How did my vision improve?

Resolutions

Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own.  Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:

1.    I will pray a mature prayer of blessing for my parents and my inlaws.
2.    I will pray a mature prayer of blessing with my parents and my inlaws.
3.    I will write a note of thanks for my father’s training and commissioning.
4.    I will ask intentions from my parents for any healing they wish for themselves or for their relationships.
5.    I will explicitly forgive my parents their faults and excesses: “In Jesus’ name I forgive my mother/father for _______________.”
6.    I will consult other parents about opportunities for initiation and mission in the lives of children.
7.    I will pray about the needs of my children for initiation and mission, and plan for their initiation and mission.
8.    I ask God to reveal any “blind spots” I still have, and ask Him to give me people to help compensate for my blind spots.
9.    I ask family members about my “blind spots,” and how I might keep growing better at what I do. 

Previous Resolutions - Tobit Excerpts: Ch. 6, 7, 8, 10

Prayer Partners

Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.