Daily Readings - Fri Aug 25 2023
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
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.