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Scott #C16, #C17 Date Issued - 12/18/1948 Face Value L250, L500 The stamp of Raphael and Tobias – Airmail Imperforate (1948) gives us a picture into the Book of Tobit in the Catholic old testament. The author is unknown but it is said that it was probably written during the period 2 BCE. It’s a story that involves the Archangel Raphael, Tobit, Tobias, son of Tobit, Sarah, daughter of Raguel and Gabael, who like Raguel was a kinsman of Tobit. It is debatable whether the Book of Tobit should be classified as a historical book or a teaching folktale. The United States Conference of Bishops (USCCB) website says, “the Book of Tobit contains numerous maxims like those found in the wisdom books as well as standards wisdom themes: fidelity to the law, intercessory function of angels, piety toward parents, purity of marriage, reverence for the dead, and the value of almsgiving, prayer and fasting”. Because of its substance in subject matter and its literary wording of lamentations, prayers and praising of God, the Book makes a good short spiritual reading. The Archangel Raphael has two intercessory tasks to perform on God’s behalf. First, to relieve Tobit of his distress and trial of faith and, second, to free Sarah of her shame and trial of faith caused by the demon, Asmodeus. The book starts out with Tobit, a prayerful and obedient Jew, dealing with blindness and financial ruin. Tobit actually prays for his own death. During this period of distress, Tobit asked his son, Tobias, to travel from Nineveh to Media to obtain funds due to Tobit from Gabael who lives in Media. Tobias does not know how to get to Media. The Archangel Raphael who calls himself, Azariah, comes forth to guide Tobias to Media (as illustrated in the stamp). Along the way to, Media Tobias is cleansing himself in the Tigris River. In the river he is attacked by a large fish. Raphael encourages him to overcome the fish and bring it ashore. Raphael tells Tobias to take the heart, liver and gall of the fish and keep it for later use. On their arrival to Media, they meet up with Raguel, the father of Sarah. Sarah is dealing with her own hopelessness because seven of her intended husbands died on the night of their wedding from the, demon, Asmodeus. She, like Tobit, also prays for her death. Both Tobit and Sarah still live through these trials with a faith in God. At Raphael’s suggestion he tells Tobias to marry Sarah. Raphael tells Tobias to burn the fish’s liver and heart. The burning of the fish liver and heart is used to ward off Asmodeus, the demon, from their marriage. Also, Tobias asked Raphael to collect the debt due to his father from Gabael. Raphael does get the funds from Gabael. Gabael is saddened by Tobit’s misfortune. Tobias, Sarah and Raphael go back to Nineveh. Raphael tells Tobias to use the gall of the fish to rid Tobit of his blindness. The story ends with Raphael revealing that he is an archangel who is serving God’s will for both families. After Tobit and his wife die Tobias and Sarah leave Nineveh. This move was in obedience to Tobit’s intuition about Nineveh. Nineveh thereafter is destroyed because of its disobedience to God’s laws. Tobias and Sarah move to Media and take care of Sarah’s parents. The value of the story is that it gives examples of misfortune, faithfulness, intercession of an angel on behalf of two families, prayer and deliverance in a novella format. Regarding angels, I think it could be said that the reality of Angels in not thought about in the minds of most Christians. Day to day life gives enough for one to think about with little time to think about the heavenly realm, but the Catholic Bible does makes mention of Angels over 300 times. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the following: “The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angel” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is clear as the unanimity of Tradition”. Angels serve God in praising him and being a messenger of His will and giving guidance to humanity. The Archangel Raphael is the angel of marriage, of healing, of happy meetings and joy, and of travel. Angel of God my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard to rule and guide. Amen REFERENCES: Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph #328-336 St. Raphael by Angela Carol, TAN publication USCCB – The Book of Tobit explanation summary plus text |
