Daily Readings - Fri Aug 25 2023
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 stories that guide us in understanding the essence of love and faith. The Book of Ruth narrates the journey of Naomi and her daughters-in-law, highlighting Ruth's unwavering loyalty. Despite the loss of her husband and the hardships faced, Ruth chooses to remain with Naomi, embodying selfless love and trust in God's providence. This story, set against the backdrop of famine and loss, illustrates how faith can lead us to acts of love and commitment even in adversity.
The Gospel of Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus' teachings on the greatest commandments. When asked, Jesus emphasizes loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. This teaching is not just a moral code but a way of life that reflects the core of Christian faith. Jesus' response to the Pharisees underscores that these commandments are the foundation of all other laws and prophetic teachings.
Both readings intertwine to show that love is the cornerstone of our faith. Ruth's loyalty mirrors the selfless love Jesus teaches, demonstrating that true faith is expressed through our actions and relationships. In our daily lives, we are called to love God and our neighbors with the same dedication Ruth showed Naomi. This means prioritizing love and trust, even in challenging times, and recognizing that our actions towards others reflect our commitment to God. Let us strive to embody this love, allowing it to guide our interactions and decisions, fulfilling the essence of the law as taught by Jesus.