Daily Readings - Fri Aug 23 2019
Ruth
1In the days of one of the judges, when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a man from Bethlehem in Judah departed to sojourn in the region of the Moabites with his wife and two children2He called himself Elimelech, and his wife Naomi, and his two sons, the one Mahlon, and the other Chilion, Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. And entering into the region of the Moabites, they stayed there3And Elimelech the husband of Naomi died; and she remained with her sons4They took wives from among the Moabites, of whom one was called Orpah, and the other Ruth. And they lived there ten years5And they both died, namely Mahlon and Chilion, and the woman was left alone, bereaved of her two children and her husband6And she arose so that she might journey to her native land, with both her daughters-in-law, from the region of the Moabites. For she had heard that the Lord had provided for his people and had given them food14In response, they lifted up their voice and began to weep again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, and then turned back. Ruth clung to her mother-in-law15Naomi said to her, "See, your kinswoman returns to her people, and to her gods. Hurry after her.16She answered, "Do not be against me, as if I would abandon you and go away; for wherever you will go, I will go, and where you will stay, I also will stay with you. Your people are my people, and your God is my God22Therefore, Naomi went with Ruth, the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, from the land of her sojourn, and returned to Bethlehem, at the time of the first reaping of the barley
Matthew
34But the Pharisees, hearing that he had caused the Sadducees to be silent, came together as one35And one of them, a doctor of the law, questioned him, to test him36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?37Jesus said to him: " ‘You shall love the Lord your God from all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.38This is the greatest and first commandment39But the second is similar to it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.40On these two commandments the entire law depends, and also the prophets.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons on love, fidelity, and commitment. The first reading from the Book of Ruth tells the story of Naomi and her daughters-in-law, highlighting Ruth's remarkable loyalty. Despite the loss of her husband and the hardships she faced, Ruth chooses to remain with Naomi, embracing her people and her God. This narrative, set in a time of famine and loss, underscores the transformative power of love and commitment. Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi, even when given the opportunity to return to her own people, reflects a deep fidelity that transcends cultural and religious boundaries.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the heart of Jesus' teaching. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus responds by emphasizing the dual call to love God with our entire being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This teaching is not just a moral instruction but a profound spiritual truth. Jesus is reminding us that love is the foundation of all relationships—our relationship with God and with one another. The Pharisees, who sought to test Jesus, are instead offered a truth that challenges them (and us) to re-examine how we live out this love in our daily lives.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we embody love and fidelity in our own lives. Like Ruth, we are called to remain steadfast in our commitments, even when the journey is difficult. Like Jesus, we are reminded that love is not just a feeling but a choice—a choice to prioritize God and to see the dignity and worth in every person we encounter. As we go about our day, let us ask ourselves: How can I love more deeply? How can I reflect the fidelity of Ruth and the transformative love of Christ in my relationships and actions? May we be guided by the wisdom of these readings to live lives marked by love, compassion, and unwavering commitment to one another.