Ruth

The story of Ruth and Naomi is a story of redemption. It is a woman’s story about a woman’s
life. Written thousands of years ago, it is still perennial. It is an icon of what it means to be a
woman of God, to live under the impulse of the Spirit and to be participants in God’s creative
power.
As we know, in the story, Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, are all
widowed and must make a choice. Orpah makes what you might call a sensible choice and
remains in Moab. Ruth decides to accompany Naomi to a place where she will always be an
outsider and where national prejudice against Moabites goes deep. Ruth makes a bold choice,
one filled with faith that the God of yesterday is also the God of today, that God who took one
thing away has something else in store for her. She is determined to follow the God who calls
her daughter.
In this story, we see hope emerge out of loss and tragedy. It is a universal story of the poor,
the marginalized and the refugee. It gives us insight into the struggles and lives of our universal
human family, our own ancestors and the lives of all our own families. This story can open our
hearts and help us experience the generosity and compassion that we still find here in our
world.
In accompanying another, as Ruth accompanied Naomi, there is always healing especially if the
journey is filled with struggles. Ruth’s sacrifice and hard work to provide for Naomi reflected
God’s love. Boaz’s loyalty to his kinsman, Naomi’s husband, reflected God’s faithfulness.
Naomi’s plan for Ruth’s future reflected God’s selfless love.
Sister Joan Chittister writes, “It takes one moment after another to show us how God works in
us, to remind us to what God calls us, whatever the time, whatever the place. This story is a
silhouette of every woman’s life frozen in time and held up for reflection.”
All the characters in the story face life’s normal challenges and find that God is weaving a story
of redemption. Ruth’s story is one of integrity, righteousness and faithfulness. Her
faithfulness in following the God of Israel leads to great blessings, not only for her but for the
world as she takes her place in the family line of Jesus Christ.
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As we celebrate this season of Advent and the coming of Jesus, signified by the advent
wreath of Peace, Hope, Joy and Love, let us diligently listen for the impulse of the Spirit in our
own lives, aware of our own divided world, the poor, the marginalized and refugees and be
bold in our response as we recall the story of Ruth, so that our story, too, will be one of
Redemption!