When Tobit saw his son, he threw his arms around him and wept. He exclaimed, "I can see you, son, the light of my eyes!" Then he said: "Blessed be God, and praised be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. May his holy name be praised throughout all the ages, because it was he who scourged me, and it is he who has had mercy on me. Behold, I now see my son Tobiah!" Then Tobit went back in, rejoicing and praising God with full voice. Tobiah told his father that his journey had been a success; that he had brought back the money; and that he had married Raguel's daughter Sarah, who would arrive shortly, for she was approaching the gate of Nineveh. ' (Tobit 11: 13-15)

Prayers have been answered with blessings far beyond expectation. Tobit and Sarah asked for death. Instead they have been given a life abundant.

There has been miraculous healing: a demon exorcised and cataracts pealed away. In each case, what was hidden has been exposed.

Tobit assumes that God had scourged him. The text says that sparrow droppings were to blame. The demon's fascination with Sarah is not explained.

Regardless of what caused the suffering, the story sets out that God is the source of healing. An angel in disguise and a loyal son served God's purpose.

Tobiah tells of his success. A different translation offers that Tobit "reported to his father of the great things that had happened to him."

We tend to think of success as a conclusion. The journey has ended in a success. He is successful... period.

In Latin successus suggests progress along the way, not a conclusion. Tobiah is advancing, not finished. Toward what, we might reasonably ask.