Then Raguel called his daughter Sarah, and she came to him. He took her by the hand and gave her to Tobiah with the words: "Take her according to the law. According to the decree written in the Book of Moses she is your wife. Take her and bring her back safely to your father. And may the God of heaven grant both of you peace and prosperity." He then called her mother and told her to bring a scroll, so that he might draw up a marriage contract stating that he gave Sarah to Tobiah as his wife according to the decree of the Mosaic law. Her mother brought the scroll, and he drew up the contract, to which they affixed their seals. Afterward they began to eat and drink. (Tobit 7:12-14)

What is Tobiah's intention in this marriage to Sarah?

Raphael encouraged the betrothal with a rich mix of motivations: "Since you are Sarah's closest relative, you before all other men have the right to marry her. Also, her father's estate is rightfully yours to inherit. Now the girl is sensible, courageous, and very beautiful; and her father loves her dearly."

Whatever the motivation or intention we are told, "he fell deeply in love with her, and his heart became set on her."

St. John of the Cross offers that, "as soon as the will finds pleasure in that which it hears, sees and does it soars upward to rejoice in God - to which end its pleasure furnishes and provides strength - this is very good."

Raguel commits the marriage to God. Tobiah's love is consecrated as covenant.

But St. John also warns, "Great caution must be observed herein... although the intention that they have is toward God, the effect which they produce is that of recreation of the sense, wherein they find weakness and imperfection rather that revival of the will and surrender of themselves to God."

It is easy to confuse self-indulgence with self-fulfillment.

It is also true that - at least in this story - an Archangel uses physical desire, the prospect of wealth, and the exercise of personal privilege to persuade Tobiah to do God's will. Are even these potential paths to soar upward to God? How can we be sure of our intention?