Daily Readings - Fri Aug 25 2017
Ruth
1In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.2The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there.3But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.4These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years,5and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.6Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.14Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.15And she said, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law."16But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.22So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
Matthew
34But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"37And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38This is the great and first commandment.39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Sermon
The first reading from the Book of Ruth tells the story of Naomi, a woman who faces immense suffering and loss. She loses her husband and her two sons, leaving her alone and bereaved. Yet, in the midst of her grief, she shows remarkable strength and faith. When she decides to return to her homeland of Bethlehem, her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, initially accompany her. Orpah eventually returns to her own people, but Ruth clings to Naomi, declaring her unwavering loyalty and commitment to Naomi’s people and God. This passage highlights the power of fidelity and trust in the face of adversity.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus being tested by the Pharisees, who ask him to identify the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus responds by citing two commandments: to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. He emphasizes that the entire law and the prophets depend on these two commandments. This teaching underscores the central importance of love—both for God and for others—as the foundation of Christian life.
The readings today remind us that love and fidelity are at the heart of living a life pleasing to God. In the story of Ruth, we see an example of selfless love and loyalty, as Ruth chooses to remain with Naomi despite the difficulties she will face. Similarly, Jesus teaches us that love for God and neighbor is the essence of the Christian life. These readings call us to reflect on how we live out this love in our daily lives. Do we remain faithful even when circumstances are challenging? Do we show love and compassion to those around us, especially those in need? Let us strive to follow the example of Ruth and the teachings of Jesus, allowing love to guide our actions and decisions.