Sarah and Tobias

After Jacq's trip to Sri Lanka, we decided to start a shared blog. We were casting about for a name when the book of Tobit came to mind. The Sins (Simon & Stella) had used Tobit 8 for their first reading at their wedding mass, and the prayer of the holy couple made a deep impression on me.

Also, we have come to realise that praying together as a couple is absolutely crucial, but can be one of the hardest things to do. It is completely unlike praying in a group of friends, or praying alone. For me, the hardest thing is to keep it honest and sincere, to avoid unecessary embellishments and flowery rhetoric. The prayer of Sarah and Tobias then is a model and inspiration for me.

Found a painting of the holy couple on their wedding night. The story is told in Tobit 8. Their prayer is simple, sincere, and powerful.

"Blessed are you, O God of our fathers; praised be your name forever and ever. Let the heavens and all your creation praise you forever. You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve to be his help and support; and from these two the human race descended. You said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; let us make him a partner like himself.' Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine not because of lust, but for a noble purpose. Call down your mercy on me and on her, and allow us to live together to a happy old age." They said together, "Amen, amen," [Tobit 8:5-8, New American Bible]



The painting is by Dutch painter Jan Steen, 1625/26 - 1679. For a full size image, click here.