GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 25TH AUGUST 2017
FRIDAY OF THE TWENTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Ruth 1:1,3-6,14-16,22
PSALM: Psalm 146:5-10
GOSPEL: Matthew 22:34-40
THEME: TOTAL COMMITMENT
Commitment is a big challenge for many in our world. It appears that the will to remain faithful, whether in relationships or assigned duties, is fast dwindling. Friends are ready to stick around as long as everything is alright but when trouble knocks at the door they disappear. Lackadaisical attitude by employees at work places is an indication that commitment is running low. Marriages are suffering because partners are ready for the “better” but not the “worse” part of the vows they exchanged in Church. Some religious are seeking dispensation from their religious vows and some priests have walked away from ministry for good.
Today’s First Reading offers us an example of a woman with an attitude of total commitment. Her name is Ruth, a Moabite. She had been married to one of the two sons of Naomi. Unfortunately, death robbed Naomi of her sons and husband. Naomi finally decided to leave Moab and go back to her hometown in Bethlehem in the land of Judah. Before leaving, she told her two daughters- in- law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me” (Rut 1:8).
After much persuasion from Naomi, one of her daughters-in-law, Orpah, finally kissed her goodbye. The other daughter-in-law, Ruth, clung to her and said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Wherever you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die– there will I be buried. May the LORD do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!” (Rut 1:16-17). It was a statement of total commitment.
Ruth stands out as a model for all of us. She challenges us to be faithful and loyal at all cost. We should never pride ourselves in thinking we are committed until we can truly say to partners and stake-holders of our vocations, “Wherever you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people…”
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me never to give up when the going gets tough but to respond effectively to the challenges that I face each day with the strength that you give. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St Arnold Janssen).