"Whoever Humbles Himself will be Exalted"

Today's Mass Readings

The book of Ruth, from which today’s first reading is taken, is a story that occurred during the time of the Judges. Thus, it rightly placed between the book of Judges and I Samuel. Ruth was not an Israelite but rather a Moabite women. She was married to one of the sons of Elimelech and Naomi who were Hebrew, but had moved to Moab because of a famine. Tragic events (the death of Naomi’s husband and the death of Ruth’s husband) became the background against which this dramatic and beautiful story of loyalty developed. After the death of Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, Naomi intended to return to Judah. Since Ruth was the Moabite, she expected her to stay back in Moab. Ruth, however, said those famous words: “Wherever you go I will go…” Thus began a journey that would become rather important in the history of Israel. He loyalty to her husband’s clan would be highly consequential. For in the land of Judah, Ruth met Boaz and married him. To them was born a son whose name was Obed. Obed son’s name was Jesse who then was the father of King David. Ruth, then, was the great-grandmother to David. Jesus was born of the family of David.

In the gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples,
“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.”

For Jesus, the Pharisees were hardly an example in loyalty. In fact, they were focused entirely on themselves and their respectability rather than on loyalty to God. Jesus’ remedy is simple: “Those who humble themselves will be exalted." In other words, only a humble person can be loyal. Pride can only lead one to selfishness.

Loyalty is an important virtue. Whether it is God, our family, friends or even our jobs, loyalty bears fruit in ways we can never imagine. If Ruth’s loyalty lead to the birth of David, our loyalty also will bear fruit in the eyes of God. We will, perhaps, never sees the fruit, but the eternal God will bring it to fruition. Let us pray today for these two gifts, humility and loyalty. Let us be humble in our relationships and loyal to God and each other.