Pentecost +22 - Year B

Ruth 1:1-18

When looking at the rest of the Hebrew scriptures we find Moabites at
odds with Israelites. When looking at this particular tale, there is no
tension.

In the midst of bumper-sticker and 10-second sound-bite politics, the
harangues of pundits of every stripe provide classic examples of
stereotyping, straw arguments, and excluded middles (and so much more -
pick a logical fallacy and you’ll find it in their enthusiasm to be
right), the blessing we yet hear and know as still possible is that, on
the personal level, two disparate people can still find one another as
beloveds.

When the discouragement of “news” and rumors/realities of war get you
down, remember Mahlon and Orpah, Chilion and Ruth, Ruth and Naomi, and
Ruth and Boaz. Love in the midst of other differences makes all the
difference. In this story that shows how poorly conceived are tribal
differences we find hope that as the laws against miscegenation fell,
one-by-one and all together, so shall the laws regarding same-gender
marriage.

We can even cast our hope wider so it is not just individuals, but
whole nations, that can pledge hesed (loyalty) to one another by way of
a larger picture where everyone benefits more through peace than our
status quo. A recent paper looks at the UN in this light. The last
paragraph reads: “In short, what is required is a complete revolution
in our values and ways of living. It is not at all surprising to me
that the UN and its initiatives spark controversy and fear among many
in our society. The thought of a world in which all people live happily
and contentedly is, on the surface, a very nice idea, but in practice a
hugely difficult thing to achieve for those of us who are accustomed to
live with privilege. And yet, if we are willing to revise our vision,
we will see giving up that privilege, if it leads to a more peaceful
world, might just be worth it. On this UN Sunday, I would encourage us
to follow the model of Eleanor Roosevelt, roll up our sleeves and
support the radical work of the UN.”

Instead of putting the roles of Ruth and Naomi off on Eleanor, how
might little ol’ you pay attention to both the personal and public
parts of your life? In part it is a choice of loyalties. May you grow
into a larger loyalty to expansive and expanding love, no matter what
privilege the rest of your cohorts cling to.

--
Posted By Wesley White to Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Dialogue at
10/27/2009 06:29:00 AM