The story of the enigmatic Archangel Raphael is told in the apocryphal Book of Tobit. Tobit was always a pious and righteous man. He was charitable and noted for feeding the hungry with gala festivals, clothing the naked, and burying the dead. He and his family were seized and deported by the Assyrians from somewhere in Galilee to Nineveh.
One hot summer night Tobit slept outdoors at the foot of a wall. Sparrows defecated into his eyes and caused him instantaneous blindness which the finest doctors of the area could not cure. In despair he prayed that God should take him.
At the same time in the distant town of Medina a young girl named Sarah had been married seven times but had never consummated her marriages. One of Satan’s most powerful demons, Asmodeous, stalked her and on each of her wedding nights killed her groom. In a deep despair she too prayed for death. Merciful God heard them and summoned Raphael to visit earth to help.
Expecting to soon die, the blinded old Tobit sends his son Tobias to Medina to collect an old debt. The money would be an inheritance for Tobias. Travel in those days was treacherous with muggers, wild animals, and unfamiliar terrain so Tobias hires a guide named Azariah who is experienced and familiar with the region. Azariah is actually Raphael in disguise.
On the way to Medina, the duo camp on the banks of the Tigris River. A large fish jumps from the water and attacks Tobias. After the fish is subdued Azariah tells Tobias to split it open, and remove the gall, heart, and liver to be used as medicine. He instructs Tobias to salt the rest of it to be used as rations for their journey.
They arrive in Medina at the home of Sarah’s parents who are very hospitable to them, as is the Jewish custom. Tobias and Sarah meet and fall in love. Tobias wants to propose marriage to her but is aware of her history with bridegrooms on her wedding nights and doesn’t want to be deceased husband number 8. Already Asmodeus is hovering above the scene.
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Colorful Archangel Raphael Stained Glass Basilica Cathedral Puebla Mexico.
File Photo
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Tobias returns to Nineveh with his bride Sarah. Following Raphael’s directions, he rubs the oil from the fish gall onto Tobit’s eyelids. With Tobit cured of his blindness, the stage is set for a gala wedding feast. The newlyweds offer Raphael, whom they still think is Azariah, half of the inheritance. Raphael declines and slips away during the festival. Tobit asks for Azariah. He is disappointed because he didn’t get a chance to thank the mysterious guide.
Returning home to God Raphael chants, “High Hosanna, Awayyyy!!!!” The music ministry led by Gabriel fills the heavens with the magnificent angelic music of the William Tell Overture.
You can read other versions of this story in my books The Archangels and Lupus of the Underworld. There’s more about Raphael next week from the Book of Job.