August 25, 2023, Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time-A
Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22
Psalm 146
Matthew 22:34-40
Ruth said: “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge…” Ruth 1:16
“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Mt. 22:37
Lord, what beautiful dedication and love your ancestor Ruth showed to her mother-in-law. You are descendent from a wonderful woman! Her story must have inspired you as a youth. These could be your words to us, your people, because they describe your faithfulness to us to a “T”. You are never far from us and are always inviting us to come even closer to you. Ruth had no clue what her new life would bring. She trusted that whatever God’s will was for her would be okay. Sounds a lot like your mother, Mary. She, too, abandoned her plans for yours. Not knowing what lie ahead for her she trusted and stayed open to whatever God’s plan for her life would bring. Lord, I want to have the humble trust of Ruth. I need the obedience and abandonment of our Blessed Mother Mary. Following the example of these two faithful women I am hopeful that I can go wherever you go and lodge with you forever. Make my love of you my number one priority. To love you with every part of my being. Amen.