(Optional) Memorial of Saint
Rose of Lima, virgin
(Ruth
1:1.3-6.14b-66.22; Matthew 22:34-40)
St.
Rose of Lima (Peru) exemplifies how to deal with adversity. As a young woman, she wanted to enter a
cloister. But her father would not allow
it. She did not disobey but carried on a
life of austerity and compassion while living on her parents’ property. She died at a young age but not before winning
the admiration of the entire city. Although her story in many ways differs from
that of Ruth, both woman show a remarkable love of God and consideration of family.
Ruth comes
from a pagan background during the time of the Judges. She marries an Israelite and accepts his God
and well as his family as her own. Today’s
passage shows how Ruth refuses to give up either when her husband dies and her
mother-in-law, considering Ruth’s need for a husband, tells her to return to
her people.
Ruth
gives witness to the priority of serving the Lord so vitally needed in our own
time. Many today are willing to forsake
God’s law – be it the Sunday obligation to attend Mass or the prohibition of
using contraceptives – to conform to social norms. The example of Ruth encourages us to always
do what God wills.
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