October 29, 2018

From Fear to Freedom

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Ruth 1:1-18

¹ During the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. A man with his wife and two sons went from Bethlehem of Judah to dwell in the territory of Moab. ² The name of that man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the territory of Moab and settled there. ³ But Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died. Then only she was left, along with her two sons. ⁴ They took wives for themselves, Moabite women; the name of the first was Orpah and the name of the second was Ruth. And they lived there for about ten years. ⁵ But both of the sons, Mahlon and Chilion, also died. Only the woman was left, without her two children and without her husband. ⁶ Then she arose along with her daughters-in-law to return from the field of Moab, because while in the territory of Moab she had heard that the LORD had paid attention to his people by providing food for them. ⁷ She left the place where she had been, and her two daughters-in-law went with her. They went along the road to return to the land of Judah. ⁸ Naomi said to her daughters-in-law, “Go, turn back, each of you to the household of your mother. May the LORD deal faithfully with you, just as you have done with the dead and with me. ⁹ May the LORD provide for you so that you may find security, each woman in the household of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. ¹⁰ But they replied to her, “No, instead we will return with you, to your people.” ¹¹ Naomi replied, “Turn back, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Will there again be sons in my womb, that they would be husbands for you? ¹² Turn back, my daughters. Go. I am too old for a husband. If I were to say that I have hope, even if I had a husband tonight, and even more, if I were to bear sons ¹³ would you wait until they grew up? Would you refrain from having a husband? No, my daughters. This is more bitter for me than for you, since the LORD’s will has come out against me.” ¹⁴ Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stayed with her. ¹⁵ Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her gods. Turn back after your sister-in-law.” ¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to abandon you, to turn back from following after you. Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. ¹⁷ Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD do this to me and more so if even death separates me from you.” ¹⁸ When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her about it.

I live in a tranquil community with walking trails, bike lanes, and beaver ponds. But when I look out my window I see pain in my neighborhood: One couple is ending a thirty-five-year marriage due to infidelity; another neighbor recently buried his wife; another is going through cancer treatments; a recent immigrant family is feeling isolated as they try to learn English and adjust to a new culture.
I often wonder how any of us do it; you know, get through life—go to work, walk the dog, and put dinner on the table. When life throws us a hard blow, how do we go on?
Naomi had tremendous sorrow in her life after losing her husband and two sons. She felt bitter and forsaken by God. But then one day, after years of suffering, she took a sober look at her life and decided to live.
Naomi’s decision helped both her widowed daughters-in-law to find that courage as well. Orpah decided to return to her family; but the other, Ruth, decided to follow her heart. Ruth pledged her love and loyalty to Naomi. Together they put one foot in front of the other and found the will to forge a life in a world where they, as widows, have no sense of safety and security. Together they created a bond of trust that allowed them space to breathe in the midst of their desperation.
When life throws us a hard blow, how do we go on? I think if we were to ask Ruth and Naomi, they would probably say, by the grace of God. They discovered that grace through friendship, honest conversation, and giving each other the space to slowly heal. This gift of grace they could see only in the fullness of time.

Loving God, remind us that your grace surrounds us even in the midst of our sorrows. Amen.

Pray the Scriptures Using Audio Lectio
Read John 11:32-44

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Lectionary Week

October 29 – November 4, 2018

Scripture Overview

Ruth and Psalm 146 share a thematic connection. Ruth is a foreigner who decides to follow the God of the Israelites, and the psalmist praises God for being the trustworthy God who cares about the poor, the oppressed, and the foreigner. In Ruth, Boaz will demonstrate this kind of care for her. The New Testament readings focus on sacrifice. Hebrews teaches us that Christ was both the greatest high priest and the eternal sacrifice. A scribe in Mark receives praise from Jesus, for he understands that the sacrificial system was less weighty than the act of loving one’s neighbor. Ruth and this scribe are examples of those, named and anonymous, who have come before us in the faith. We celebrate them on All Saints Day.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Ruth 1:1-18. When have you left the familiar behind to set out into the unknown? Where did you experience God’s presence and help?
• Read Psalm 146. When you have found yourself in despair about the world, where have you witnessed God’s work that brings you hope?
• Read Hebrews 9:11-14. How willing are you to release your bag of sins and shortcomings to Jesus?
• Read Mark 12:28-34. In what ways do you understand yourself as a spiritual being having a human experience? What does that mean to you?

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From Fear to Freedom

The Wisdom of the Body

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From Fear to Freedom

Ruth 1:1-18

John 11:32-44

The Wisdom of the Body

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