Listen

I sprang to my feet, leaving the dinner untouched. (Tobit 2:4) 

There’s a special branch of the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force called the Quick Reaction Alert force. These pilots are on constant alert. Should a threat arise, they can be in the air in minutes. They could be fast asleep, brushing their teeth, or eating lunch, but they snap into action when the alarm sounds.

This sounds a bit like Tobit’s prompt response in today’s reading, doesn’t it? It was the Jewish feast of Weeks, and he was relaxing in front of a fine dinner. But when he heard that a fellow countryman had been killed, he immediately went out and buried the man. This was both a dangerous and a subversive act for an Israelite like himself living in exile in Nineveh. The Ninevites intentionally affronted Jewish customs by doing things like delaying the burial of dead Jews. But Tobit never hesitated. He was on constant “alert” to do God’s will. He didn’t allow his own comfort or safety to get in the way. He didn’t allow fear or so-called common sense to stop him. A brother in the Lord had been killed, and he deserved the dignity of a proper Jewish burial. 

So how can we be on call for the Lord just as Tobit was? How can we be always alert as those British pilots are? In our case, the call probably won’t sound like a siren, and we probably won’t need a shovel and a strong back. God is much more likely to summon us with the “still small voice” of his Spirit. 

The key is to listen. Take a minute at the end of your prayer time or after Mass to listen with your heart. What comes to mind? You might feel the need to call a friend who is hurting. You might remember a long-standing disagreement with your neighbor and start thinking about pursuing reconciliation. Or you might feel a new enthusiasm welling up inside you to join a ministry at church.

No matter how you hear the call, take action! 

“Lord, give me ears to hear you and the courage to follow you, no matter where you call! Help me to be always ready to respond to you.”

from wau.org