In the Book of Tobias (xii. 6-15) the Archangel Raphael delivers to the family of Tobias a model sermon.

He puts in the front the duty of giving glory to God. "Bless ye the God of Heaven; give glory to Him in the sight of all that live." He knew that unless we give glory to God in all our actions, they are worthless in God's sight. To take the glory to ourselves instead of giving it to God was the sin of the Pharisees and of the heathen world. Do I give glory to God in all my actions?

He recommends prayer as a means of obtaining a treasure far greater than treasures of gold, but it must be accompanied (1) with fasting or some sort of mortification, (2) with almsgiving, (3) with tears and earnest desires for what we ask. Such prayers of ours the Angels themselves offer to God. Such prayers are sure to meet with an answer from Him. Are these the characteristics of my prayers?

He tells the aged Tobias that his trials and temptations, far from being a sign of God's anger, were on the contrary a sign of His love. "Because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove thee." The troubles that befell him were sent simply because he was pleasing in God's sight. We must not therefore despair if we are sorely tried, but take courage, and regard it as a proof of God's love.