In this Season Finale, I unpack 2 key questions revolving Life and Death for Christians from Tobit Ch.14:

1) What does the “fear of the Lord” mean to you today? In what ways is it a virtue, and how does it fulfil the New Covenant?

2) What is the significance of a "proper burial?” What is the purpose of a funeral? How does the deceased and the living benefit from it? And what expressions of Hope should be evident at a funeral for Christians?

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible or the NAB online version taken from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/14. For the Book of Tobit, I also refer to the online version of the Douay-Rheims Bible – which is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, whereas the NAB is translated from the Septuagint or the Greek version.

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In this episode, to address the question, "How to move forward when tested?" I reflect on some key questions from the Book of Tobit:

1. Can a sin, and hence its punishment, be passed down from one generation to another? 
2. How does "original sin" transmit to us from Adam & Eve? 
3. How should we move forward wth suffering?
4. How do we minister those who are suffering?

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible or the NAB online version taken from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/13. For the Book of Tobit, I also refer to the online version of the Douay-Rheims Bible – which is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, whereas the NAB is translated from the Septuagint or the Greek version.

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God is omniscient - He knows our inmost heart. Why then does God test us when He knows us better than we do? In this episode, the Book of Tobit, Ch.12 reveals the insight to the question and more.

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible or the NAB online version taken from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/12. For the Book of Tobit, I also refer to the online version of the Douay-Rheims Bible – which is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, whereas the NAB is translated from the Septuagint or the Greek version.

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In this episode, the two themes/ideas that struck me the most from reading Tobit Chapter 11 are: 1) Reaction of the father, and 2) Tobit's blindness. The Suscipe Prayer from St Ignatius Loyola is the closing prayer.

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible or the NAB online version taken from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/11. For the Book of Tobit, I also refer to the online version of the  Douay-Rheims Bible – which is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, whereas the NAB is translated from the Septuagint or the Greek version.

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Suscipe Prayer adapted from: https://youtu.be/bfg0CKEJqg4

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In this episode, Tobiah is finally making his way home. Meanwhile, his parents are worried and getting more anxious by the day not knowing why the delay. Here are some of my reflections:

1) Recall the times when you were caught between your faith and blindness, just like Tobit in Ch.10? How were the matters resolved?

2) How deep is your faith that God provides for our needs?

3) What does Jesus mean in Mt 6:24, "No one can serve two masters." Is Jesus denying the reality of our human needs?

4) How is Marriage the image of God's love?

... More reflection questions in the Show Notes below.

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible or the NAB online version taken from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/10. For the Book of Tobit, I also refer to the online version of the Douay-Rheims Bible – which is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, whereas the NAB is translated from the Septuagint or the Greek version. 

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In Ch.9 of this episode, we shall see that Tobiah’s “faith” in Raphael has deepened into “trust.” We also get to unpack some of the richness in signs & symbols in the Book of Tobit: 1) What does the marriage of Tobiah & Sarah symbolize? 2) What does the money in Ch.9 symbolize? 3) What is the significance of the seal on the moneybags in verse 5 of Tb 9? 

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible or the NAB online version taken from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/9. For the Book of Tobit, I also refer to the online version of the Douay-Rheims Bible – which is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, whereas the NAB is translated from the Septuagint or the Greek version. 

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In this episode, we move from Moral Virtues to Theological Virtues and connect them primarily to Ch. 7 & 8 of Tobit. In Ch.8, Tobiah has been instructed to pray with Sarah for 3 days and 3 nights before consummating their marriage. Why 3 days? What is the significance of "3 days" in Scripture? Stay tuned all the way to the end as we uncover the important Theological Implication of the 3-day timeline.

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible online version taken from the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/8. For the Book of Tobit, I also refer to the online version of Douay-Rheims Bible – which is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, while the NAB is translated from the Septuagint or the Greek version. 

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The Book of Tobit, Chapter 7 reveals yet another virtuous man -- Raguel. What are his virtues? What purpose do virtues serve? What message is Scripture and the Church revealing to us? In this episode, we take a closer look at Virtue, and reflect on it from a Christian perspective.

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible online version taken from the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/7. For the Book of Tobit, I also refer to the online version of Douay-Rheims Bible – which is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, while the NAB is translated from the Septuagint or the Greek version.

To find out more:

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Announcement: We are taking a short break after this episode. Regular podcasting shall resume on June 2, 2022 (Thursday). Be sure to Subscribe & turn on the Notification.

In this episode, take a moment to reflect on the lessons learned from Tobit Ch.1-6. Connect the dots to the New Testament or the Gospel ... to examine the analogy of faith for the entire Bible; and to reflect on how the lessons learned might be applicable to your circumstances. And going forward, how can we do better in walking with Christ?

One of the takeaways for me is how faithful God is to Tobit and Sarah. In hearing their prayers to grant them death, God sends Raphael, his archangel, to help and heal them instead. This is especially relevant to all who are gong through a great deal of pain and suffering right now. And the powerful message: Do not lose faith!

To find out more, check it out.

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In Tobit Chapter 6, Tobiah and Rapahel set out on their adventure to call on Tobit's loan from Raguel in Ecbatana. Along the way, Raphael shows Tobiah how to survive a fish attack on the River Tigris, plays cupid to him. Little did Tobiah know that he is getting married to Sarah, daughter of Raguel, on top of collecting the silver for his father. 

In this episode, we get to examine the different senses of interpreting Scripture, unpack the teachings of predestination and soulmate, marriage and spirituality from the Magisterium Church. All the big topics in the Bible.

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible online version taken from the USCCB website https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/6  

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Tobit is the only time in Scripture that we meet the Archangel Raphael, whose name means “God Heals.” It is also the only time we get to see an angel up close and personal in the Bible. In this episode, we unpack the following questions:

What are Angels? What is the purpose of their existence? What are their roles in the Salvation History? And in our lives?

To answer these questions, I turn to the Catechism of the Catholic Church or the CCC, as well as insights from St Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor, in his Treatise on Angels, from his Summa Theologica.

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible online version taken from the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/5 

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In Tobit Ch.4, I find some of the most profound teachings in the Bible. Using the prayer of Lectio Divina, here are my 3 key takeaways:

3 key takeaways:

1. Faith & Tradition -- part of our call to evangelization: not only to non-believers, but also to believers.
2. Almsgiving -- this is one of the main themes of the Book of Tobit. What are the Works of Mercy? Who should we model ourselves after in almsgiving? If almsgiving can expiate sins, why did Tobit become blind?
3. "Have you eyes and do not see?" Mk 8:18; Is 44:18

Check out St Augustine's 'perceptive' insights in this episode!

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible online version taken from the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/3. 

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In this episode, I reflect on Tobit Chapter 3 using the prayer of Lectio Divina. 2 key themes emerged from my reflection: 1) Be humble -- no matter how righteous or how pious we may think we are, the devil will pounce on our weakness to tempt us every chance he gets. 2) Prayer is our personal relationship with God. We would do well to learn how to pray from Tobit and Sarah. In the words of St Augustine, "The Prayer ascends, and God’s Mercy descends."

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible online version taken from the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/3. 

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In this episode, I reflect on 3 key themes from Tobit chapter 2 : 1) Obedience to the father, 2) Why we are called to be charitable? and 3) Tobit's Spiritual Blindness; and how we can relate to each one of them in our present day.

The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible online version taken from the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/2. I use the prayer of Lectio Divine for my reflections.

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In this episode, we begin our journey into the 7 deuterocanonical books, starting with with the Book of Tobit, Chapter 1. The Bible I am reading from is the New American Bible online version taken from the USCCB website: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/1. I use the prayer of Lectio Divina for my reflections.

In Chapter 1, Tobit strikes me of his extraordinary Faith to God (1:3). And his Good Deeds are grounded in his Love of God -- "Loving God with all of his mind." (1:12) Even though some of his Good Works brought about personal tragedies (1:19-20); in the end, through the Grace of God, Tobit is restored from his tragedies (1:21-23).

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Welcome back to Season 2! In this episode, I share the new structure and rationale for the Season 2, and some of things I do to get the most out of listening to the Word of God. As a bonus, I also get to share a heartwarming conversion testimony from a listener -- Praise the Lord!

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In this episode, we wrap up the Kingly Office as the last of the Trilogy for the laity. What does it mean for Baptized Christians to participate in Christ’s Kingly Office? And what does that look like in practice? That is what we are going to explore in “The King & I.”

The Scripture passage that inspired "the King & I" is from Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14. The Scripture passage that glues the entire reflection on the Priest, Prophet & King Trilogy is from Isaiah 50:4-9.

Catch you in Season 2 on Jan.6 2022 (Thursday). Thank you & God Bless!

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Continuing from the last episode, where I unpacked our Priestly Office by virtue of our baptism, I unpack the Prophetic Office of our calling in this episode. A Prophet is the Messenger of God. And I reflect on 3 main talking points:  1) Truth & Authority, 2) Calling & Mission, and 3) Call to be Faithful. As usual, my reflections are based on Sacred Scripture, the CCC and Bible Scholars in accordance to the authority of the Magisterium Church.

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In this episode, I wanna take a stab in addressing the following question: Have you wondered why we are called to be so many things? We are called to be Holy, first and foremost; and it seems we are also called to be Priest, Prophet and King. Are you overwhelmed by the different callings? How is it that we are called to be so many things? Are they even Biblical or Tradition?

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Is God’s Love for us conditional or unconditional? Does it come with any strings attached? If God’s Love for us is unconditional, can anything separate us from the Love of Christ? By examining these questions, it forms the framework/basis for me to decide whether I should take the leap of faith in converting to Christianity. This is part 2 of “How Deep is God’s Love?” 

In this episode, I contemplate on whether God's Love is unconditional; which helps reflect on my thought process in taking the leap of faith - recalling the struggles I faced in RCIA, culminating in my conversion 5 years later. The inspired reading for this episode is from Rom 8:31-39. The reflection connects the dots from Ep. 4 - 8.

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