Reward

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082617.cfm) reminds me that God rewards mightily those who are loyal to him. 

They say you will know who your real friends are when you are under fire. When life is easy, when you’re rich and successful, it is easy to have friends. Everyone wants to be close to you, to be associated with you. however, when life is tough, when your back is pushed against the wall, when you are left with nothing, then that’s the time you’ll know who your real friends are – people who will not leave you and be with you in your suffering and challenges. That’s how God saw Ruth.

The first reading is the continuation of yesterday’s reading. We saw that Ruth stayed with her mother in law Naomi, even when her husband died. She could have gone back to her family, but she decided to stick to Naomi, who has nothing left. In the reading, we see how she eventually found favor with God and rewarded her faith and love. She got married to Boaz, and bore a son which would eventually be the grandfather of David!

God rewards those who are faithful to Him.

In the same way that Ruth did not leave her mother in law when she was left with nothing, and continued to love and serve her, we too should not leave God when life is tough and our backs are pushed against the wall. It is easy to love and serve God when things are great, when we are happy with life, when we have a lot of free time. However, doing it is a challenge when life is tough. However, it is during these challenges that we are defined, that we improve and become strengthened. As fire sharpens steel, these challenges in life should sharpen and strengthen our faith and love for God.

May we be inspired and challenged to stick to God, especially when life is tough, knowing that he is always watching and will continue to reward and take care of those loyal to him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. thank you for the reminder. Thank you for being perfect and for seeing everything. Lord, sorry for the times I let go when times are tough. Sorry for the times I am not faithful to you. I ask that you hold my hand and never let me go. Help me remain faithful and loyal to you, especially when life is tough. May I always choose to love and serve you no matter what situation I may be in. amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 26, 2017
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 424

Reading 1RU 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17

Naomi had a prominent kinsman named Boaz,
of the clan of her husband Elimelech.
Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi,
"Let me go and glean ears of grain in the field
of anyone who will allow me that favor."
Naomi said to her, "Go, my daughter," and she went.
The field she entered to glean after the harvesters
happened to be the section belonging to Boaz
of the clan of Elimelech.

Boaz said to Ruth, "Listen, my daughter!
Do not go to glean in anyone else's field;
you are not to leave here.
Stay here with my women servants.
Watch to see which field is to be harvested, and follow them;
I have commanded the young men to do you no harm.
When you are thirsty, you may go and drink from the vessels
the young men have filled."
Casting herself prostrate upon the ground, Ruth said to him,
"Why should I, a foreigner, be favored with your notice?"
Boaz answered her:
"I have had a complete account of what you have done
for your mother-in-law after your husband's death;
you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth,
and have come to a people whom you did not know previously."

Boaz took Ruth.
When they came together as man and wife,
the LORD enabled her to conceive and she bore a son.
Then the women said to Naomi,
"Blessed is the LORD who has not failed
to provide you today with an heir!
May he become famous in Israel!
He will be your comfort and the support of your old age,
for his mother is the daughter-in-law who loves you.
She is worth more to you than seven sons!"
Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became his nurse.
And the neighbor women gave him his name,
at the news that a grandson had been born to Naomi.
They called him Obed.
He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Responsorial PsalmPS 128:1B-2, 3, 4, 5

R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
You wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

AlleluiaMT 23:9B, 10B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You have but one Father in heaven;
you have but one master, the Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."