Word to the Wise
Friday, August 21, 2015 - Friday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22 and Matt 22:34-40,1047]"Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your peoople shall be my people, and your God my God." [Ruth]
AUGUST 21 ST. PIUS X, pope
These words from the Book of Ruth are some of the most touching in the Bible. They express a love and loyalty that transcend tribal and cultural boundaries. That is a challenge for a Middle Eastern person, and it is a challenge for us. Jesus speaks about his own family as being not so much his biological family but rather those who believe in him and follow him. Indeed, one of the first major crises faced by the Church was the decision regarding the admission of gentiles into the community which had been Jewish in origin! The prominent and world-wide challenge of immigration has to do with boundaries that are ethnic, cultural and political. The personal commitment of Ruth to Naomi can easily be lost in the loud protective voices for those boundaries.
Those voices that speak of building walls to keep people out or keep people in do not speak for Christian faith. They speak to fears and security. In our own country, it is good to remember that most of us are of immigrant origin. Jesus and Ruth speak of love of God and neighbor. What do those walls say? AMEN