The first readings at Mass during the current week are taken from the Book of Tobit.  This book contains the very charming story of a just man exiled in Assyria who falls into misfortune, of a virtuous woman persecuted by the devil, and how God works in their lives to bring about good for both of them.  The English monk St. Bede (d. 735) wrote a commentary on this book in which he states:

"If understood in the spiritual sense, [this book] contains within it the greatest mysteries of Christ and the Church.  Indeed, "Tobit" signifies the people of Israel who serve The Lord with right faith and just works, when all the nations have been given over to idolatry."   

One of the just works Tobit performs is that of burying the dead bodies of his countrymen.  However:

" 'Wearied with burying the dead, Tobit went into his own house and cast himself down by the wall and slept . . . and he was made blind' (Tobit 2, 10-11).  "Tobit" signifies "the blinded one", for, "blindness has, in part, befallen Israel" (Romans 11, 25).  He was wearied with burying the dead and was blinded, but he who tirelessly persists in good deeds is never deprived of the light of faith.  He who neglects to keep watch, to stand in the faith, to act manfully, and to be strengthened, becomes worn out spiritually, and lies down and sleeps.  This agrees well with what the Apostle [Paul] says: "Rise, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will enlighten you' (Ephesians 5, 14)." 

And so Israel began by doing well, as in the days of the Patriarchs, but then wearied of acting justly and went "to sleep", in terms of the spirit.  The danger of falling "asleep" in this way exists for the Church, the New Israel, as well as for the individual Christian, if the means of nourishment and strengthening -- the Sacraments and prayer -- are forgotten.