Thursday, Second Week of Advent
Theme: Ruth
Symbol: Grain
Prayer of Ven. Bruno Lanteri
Almighty and Eternal God, I (name), although most unworthy, but encouraged by your compassion and infinite mercy, and by the desire of serving you, offer before the Most Holy Virgin Mary and all the Court of Heaven, to your Divine Majesty, this day, and all my thoughts, words and actions in it. I humbly beg of your infinite goodness and mercy, by the Blood of Jesus Christ, that you choose to accept this offering in the odor of sweetness, and that as you have given me the grace to desire and to make this offering, so also you grant me the grace to fulfill it. Amen.
O Virgin immaculately conceived, put into my heart those things of your Son most pleasing to him. Amen.
Scripture: Ruth 2:5-7
Boaz asked the young man overseeing his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”The young man overseeing the harvesters answered, “She is the young Moabite who came back with Naomi from the plateau of Moab. She said, ‘I would like to gather the gleanings into sheaves after the harvesters.’ Ever since she came this morning she has remained here until now, with scarcely a moment’s rest.”
Boaz then spoke 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 young women.”
Reflection: Ruth earned her reputation among Boaz and the Israelites for her unyielding fidelity to Naomi, her mother-in-law. With the loss of Naomi’s husband and both of her sons she faced the prospects of a dire life of loneliness and poverty. Ruth, despite being a foreigner to Israel, would not abandon Naomi. Is there anyone you know who walks alone waiting for the gift of someone’s presence? Perhaps yours?