Daily Readings - Fri Aug 25 2023
Ruth
1In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.2The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.3Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.4They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years,5both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.6When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.14At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her.15"Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her."16But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.22So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.
Matthew
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"37Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'38This is the first and greatest commandment.39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
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.