26/02/2023

As I think and type these words I know that I am alive not through my own will but by the will of God, the creator of everything. 

Ruth became used to living in a foreign land as the dependent of her mother-in-law but knew that to be accepted completely she needed to find a man and give birth to sons. If she had stayed at home this would have been impossible so she asked permission to follow the harvesters, gleaning the barley that had been missed by the reapers.

Boaz did notice her as she had planned but claimed that it was because of her character that he had chosen her. As with all human relationship it was a "bit of both"; looks and moral worth. Ruth's son was welcomed into Naomi's life and he became the grandfather of David.

The great temple being completed in Jerusalem during Jesus' lifetime was served by devout scribes and priests, the "Fathers" of their day. They performed the sacrificial rituals and studied the scrolls. They searched for signs of God's providence and were themselves obedient to claims of ritual purity that they passed on to each other.

Jesus was always at odds with these "Fathers" but never condemns their teaching. For us the "Church of Peter" is still the guardian of the "Law" that rules our lives in "God's Providence" and the only source of God's "Eucharist". The immorality of "Fathers" damages the "Good News" but Jesus tells us that God is with us in His Providence, that the Love of  Father, Son and Holy Spirit has only to be acknowledged for us to become the human being that God created us to be and thus we can sincerely "approach the Altar of God; of God who gives joy to my soul".

Dear Lord, you know more about me than I know myself. Please share that knowledge with me and let the inspiration of the Holy Spirit not be blocked by my weakness. Let me this day avoid sin and with the help of Your Mother and Saints let this prayer have a fruitful fulfilment.