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November 2nd 2003. Pentecost 21

Ruth 1:1-18.  Ruth and Naomi come to Bethlehem.
Ps 146. The Lord watches over the fatherless and the widow and the oppressed.
Hebrews 9:11-14.  Jesus' cleansing.  The healing of our conscience.
Mark 12:28-34. The greatest commandment.

The gospel has Jesus fielding a sympathetic question from a religious leader - a respite in what had been thus far a hostile and contentious debate. Jesus is asked for his opinion about which is the greatest commandment. He responds with the traditional form of Shema -(Deuteronomy 6:4) and adds to it the words of Leviticus 19:18: Love of God enfolds love of neighbour as well.
The scribe is impressed and makes an enthusiastic response of his own which carries on the theme of Jesus rather like a new instrument picking up the theme in a concerto. "In fact love is greater than the whole sacrificial system!"

Jesus has the closing word with a comment that this scribe is not far from the kingdom of God.
Interesting to see the way that Jesus draws from the existing tradition - rather than come up with some novel expression. Perhaps he is simply exposing its heart.
That love for God, neighbours, and ourselves are at the centre of faith - how many times do we need to hear that?  Constantly!
How do we use it as a filter to evaluate how we live and behave as a faith community in this world?
How does love stand in relation to law? If the two conflict which do we modify or abandon?
How do we embrace the fullness of love- love of God and love of self and neighbour with the whole-hearted energy that Jesus' words invite? An answer may be seen in the opening story of Ruth and the way she expresses her commitment to Naomi.
"Wherever you go I will go. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God!"
The way Ruth's commitment to Naomi is expressed is indicative of this energy.
The story of Ruth also challenges narrow views about where this love may be found.  Here it is outside the boundaries of the people of God. Ruth, a woman from a people with a history of conflict with the Israelites, yet having married an Israelite man, embraces her mother in law and her mother-in-law's faith. 

Today's Psalm, as does Jesus, reinforces the link between love and justice. The Lord has a concern for "the fatherless, the widow and the oppressed".  Ponder our own understanding of God's love and whether it has this robust edge?

However we respond to the sacrificial imagery of Hebrews, we find the writer reminding us of the cost of Jesus' love and Jesus' own embracing of that cost - a commitment of heart, soul mind and strength.

 

Meditations:

Mark 12:32-33

 It strikes me
that these words
are messengers of peace
They don't speak
of impossible achievements
of peaks of excellence
few of us have scaled
Instead they speak of acceptance
of who we are right now
of where we are
on the journey
Too often we flay ourselves
with critical thoughts
of inadequacy
comparing ourselves with others
and falling far short
God, you made me unique
You don't measure up
against others
and pronounce me lacking or superior
You only look to see
how much of my heart
how much of my understanding
how much of my strength
is directed to you
is flowing to you
is full of you
I glimpse the liberty this offers
and thankfully choose
to walk the way of freedom

(c) Anna Johnstone

 

Ruth 1:1-18

Three women
lost their three men
Triple blow for Naomi
first her husband
then her two sons
Grief bonded the women
and they left for Naomi's home-land
Then Orpah returned to her own parents
but Ruth, widowed, childless
revealed in poignant words
her love and commitment
Wherever you go
I shall go
your people
shall be my people
your God
shall be my God
Willing to forsake
all she knew
all she had
all she could have had
seeking only to comfort and console
she began an uncertain future
among unknown people
in an unknown land
unaware of the blessings
hidden ahead

(c) Anna Johnstone

Psalm 146

He died
when he was forty three
My father
leaving my mother a widow
and me fatherless
immigrants in this new land
At seventeen, I'd only known you
a short time
and this was the first promise
I ever had from you
I remember reading this psalm
and telling you plainly
that it was a picture
of us
and that I expected you
to do what you'd said
It sounds so brash, God
but you were all we had
and I was too naive
to decorate my words
I've watched you
keep every promise
providing tenderly
for many needs
over many years
My own Boaz
with handsome face
and loving heart
helped me dig foundations
pour concrete
build fences
still my soul-mate
still your gift
I'm so thankful, God
for your amazing faithfulness
and goodness
to Ruth
to me
to all those
who will follow us
until the end
of time

(c) Anna Johnstone