Queenship of Mary

"Let me go and glean ears of grain..." (Ruth 2 ,2)

The Deuteronomic Code (1) demanded that Jews not harvest the corners of the field so that the poor might "glean" what they found there in order to eat and provide for their families. Some rabbis even suggested that farmers should not go over a field twice in order that the poor might harvest what they did not plant and thus preserve their dignity. The Deuteronomic Code was a kind of "safety net" in the Old Testament, a system that provided for the poor without forcing them to beg. Never forgetting their exile in Egypt, Jews were commanded to remember the poor and provide for them. 

In today's reading Ruth, who has no stature when she returns with Naomi to Bethlehem, suggests that she might go into the fields and "glean" something so that she and Naomi might eat. Ruth's humility startles us. Willing to abandon her chances for marriage in her own land to accompany Naomi to Bethlehem, she is willing to live a simple life of gleaning, of living off the charity of others. Her relationship with Naomi is so important to her that she sacrifices everything in order to be faithful not only to Naomi but to Naomi's God.

Today, in Mary's and Ruth's names, ask God for the gifts of humility and gratitude.

What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of announcing the Good News?