August 20, 2011
Memorial of Saint Bernard,abbot and doctor of the Church
Casting herself prostrate upon the ground, she said to him, “Why should I, a foreigner, be favored with your attention?” Boaz answered her: “I have had a complete account of what you have done for your mother-in-law after your husband’s death; you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom previously you did not know. Ruth 2:10-11
Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:9-12
Piety
Gracious and Loving God, as witnesses to the drought in East Africa, continue to provide your people with hearts of service, compassion and solidarity. Console our sisters and brothers living with uncertainty and the scarcity of food. Guide our leaders that they might work together to offer solutions to the needs of the people in East Africa. May your grace remind us that you are the source of justice; your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all. Continue to gather us in your name so as your children we embrace our sisters and brothers as we respond to your call. You call us your people. You taught us to be just and you gave us good ground for hope. Lord, help us to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in the coming weeks. Mold us in your will so that our brothers and sisters will see you reflected in our response. We ask this through your son, Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. (From www.crs.org)
Study
Actions speak louder than words. Jesus counsels us to watch out whom we might follow because many of our leaders do not authentically follow what they say or practice what they preach.
Ruth gives us a great example of the lesson being taught in today’s Gospel. She gave up everything in her own life to follow her husband. After he died, she did not return to her homeland but stayed there to care for her moth-in-law.
Jesus is an heir to this school of servant leadership…literally. Ruth gave birth to the latest in the family line which would give the world Jesse, David and ultimately Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus also is the ultimate example of one who does practice what he preaches even though his disciples may not like what they and we hear.
Action
How can we be more like Ruth? Do we deliver on all we promise? Do we go above and beyond to serve others? Or are we too concerned about the next public award, promotion, or trophy?
Fixing our eyes on the news of the day, we easily can be distracted by following the declining value of our retirement portfolio. Yet these values may be declining but they are still filled with more monetary worth than many people in the world will earn in a lifetime. Clearly we remain favored with attention. However, can we better focus on the famine elsewhere in the world?
The image of Ruth gleaning corn in the fields thousands of years ago brings to mind the pictures we see today of the famine in East Africa. Catholic agencies are at the center of this response and Pope Benedict has called for us to help. Consider supporting the charities like CRS that are trying to provide humanitarian aid in this time of crisis.
