Ruth 2
This beautiful story continues to weave its way through good attitudes and behaviour. There is a tension in the narrative. At any point something else could go wrong for the women. They are powerless and without status or wealth. They are totally in the hands of those around them. And enter Boaz. Clearly a man of God as can be told by his greetings. He immediately shows mercy and generosity and through his goodness and godliness there is at last a glimmer of hope shining in the lives of the two. The acceptance by God, the shelter and security she has entered into by her decision to stay with Naomi and accept her God is pronounced by Boaz and her humility and lack of expectation make the gift all the more wonderful.
As seems so often to be the case with God's Blessing, Ruth needs to work hard to realise the blessing and she has to act with honour. But it is wonderful the way hope begins to grow again in so desolate a Naomi.
As seems so often to be the case with God's Blessing, Ruth needs to work hard to realise the blessing and she has to act with honour. But it is wonderful the way hope begins to grow again in so desolate a Naomi.
Colossians 3:1-11
St. Paul outlines again the necessary unfolding of the Christian walk. So much of what is accepted as normal from a worldly perspectives and even encouraged in our capitalist society is now to be rejected as the new self - the likeness of Christ grows within us.
All the things we said we once were, the things that defined us, are now to be released. So many layers and defense mechanisms need to be got rid of- the defenses that cause us to lie, that require us to store up more than we need for fear of being without - all these things must go as we the true eternal perspective, through faith, moulds our understanding.
And how liberating it is - and how different from the the old life who still struggles to make himself felt in his cynicism and fear!
All the things we said we once were, the things that defined us, are now to be released. So many layers and defense mechanisms need to be got rid of- the defenses that cause us to lie, that require us to store up more than we need for fear of being without - all these things must go as we the true eternal perspective, through faith, moulds our understanding.
And how liberating it is - and how different from the the old life who still struggles to make himself felt in his cynicism and fear!
Thoughts
Our readings are readings of contrast. Naomi's old life of hopelessness and death begins to embrace hope once more as the goodness of a godly man enters the women's lives.
St Paul talks about the contrast between the old life and the new life in Christ. An old life marked by lies and fear and labels defining who you can and cannot belong with. And the new life, marked by joy and freedom and eternal hope.
These contrasts form part of our everyday lives - a constant battleground for the framework for our lives. But we re in Christ and the battle is won. But to live in the certainty of that hope requires continual courage if we are not to find ourselves slipping!
St Paul talks about the contrast between the old life and the new life in Christ. An old life marked by lies and fear and labels defining who you can and cannot belong with. And the new life, marked by joy and freedom and eternal hope.
These contrasts form part of our everyday lives - a constant battleground for the framework for our lives. But we re in Christ and the battle is won. But to live in the certainty of that hope requires continual courage if we are not to find ourselves slipping!
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