Fourth Sunday of Advent (C), December 19, 2021—Luke 1:39–45 and Luke 1:46–55

Luke 1:39–45

Henry Ossawa Tanner: The Visitation 

(also known as Mary Visiting Elizabeth) 

1909-10.   Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 

 

Never Barren

 

She went with haste, she did not tarry!

There was no time to waste! For Mary,

Whose solitude had just been broken,

Had news that could not go unspoken!

 

“Hello!” she cried, on first appearing

To old Eliz’beth, who, on hearing,

Before she spoke, after that greeting,

Perceived her baby, inside, leaping!

 

You never know, with news astounding,

When someone else, also confounding

Convention that no good can happen,

Reminds you love is never barren.

 

Perhaps you’ll ask, “Why has this happened?

“More joy than what I might imagine?”

“For even now, to us is coming

“A child to set the whole world humming!”

 

Scott L. Barton

 

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

 

+ + +

Luke 1:46-55

 

James Tissot: The Magnificat (Le magnificat), 

1886-1894

Brooklyn Museum

 

 

 

To the Readers of the Christmas Story: 

“No More "Ho-hum, the reading of Scripture"

 

It isn't wordy explanations that I seek,

It isn't toned-down phrases that are mild and meek;

Don't stand up front in church and then apologize,

As if you need to cut a story down to size;

This news that comes today is bigger than us both,

Nor should the fact I've heard it often, make you loathe

To call out flabbergasting news with such surprise

The people catch their breaths and find their spirits rise!

 

Also, it could be Christmas is the only time

That you can get away with old King James, sublime

In phrases like, "hath holpen," and "doth magnify,"

As Mary to her cousin—and to us—still cries!

But mostly, don't throw out the mystery and awe

For people who today, to what you say, now draw:

Give me a preacher or a reader who proclaims

This gospel text such that I know your heart's aflame!

 

Scott L. Barton

(Partly inspired by the narration of the Christmas story from Isaiah, Matthew and Luke by the tenor narrator, Duane Moody, at a Holiday Pops performance in Boston in 2015. It's a basically secular event, but he read it so well, that singing with the chorus behind the orchestra, there were tears in my eyes. He actually sounded as if he was surprised by the news! Believed it himself! And couldn't help but want others to believe it, too.)

 

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. 

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 

for the Mighty One has done great things for me, 

and holy is his name. 

His mercy is for those who fear him 

from generation to generation. 

He has shown strength with his arm; 

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, 

and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, 

and sent the rich away empty. 

He has helped his servant Israel, 

in remembrance of his mercy, 

according to the promise he made to our ancestors, 

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

 

(NRSV)

 

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: 

for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

He hath shewed strength with his arm; 

he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

 

(KJV)

Third Sunday of Advent (C), December 12, 2021—Philippians 4:4–7 and Luke 3:7–18

 

Would you like to have all the poems for Year C in book form, something tangible to hold in your hand? It has all 150 poems for the year, plus 7 hymn texts, with indices of scriptural references and titles. It's a beautiful book which you can buy now at Wipf and Stock, Amazon, or other distributors—but the cheapest from me, at only $11 plus media postage of $3.19. I'll sign, and inscribe each copy as you like. Check or Venmo. Write me at SCOTT.L.BARTON[at sign]gmail[dot]com to tell me how many you'd like and where to mail. Makes a great gift! And many thanks for your interest in lectionarypoems!   —Scott

 

Philippians 4:4–7

 

 

Benjamin West: Two Angels Singing (1783)

Berger Collection, Denver

 

The Lord is Near

 

Do you believe the Lord is near?

Or is your talk just of his birth?

Is Advent just pre-Christmas time

Rememb’ring he was born on earth?

Are you just happily recalling

His coming to a cradle, bawling?

 

Or—can you really sing with hope,

Rejoicing that the day soon comes

When kindness rules across the land,

And every voice of hate is dumb?

Is Advent less of decoration

And more the future of creation?

 

Oh, let us not just solemnly

Prepare the baby’s birth today,

But gladly sing that, since he came,

We’re not just talking child’s play,

But at the wrong can thumb our noses,

For Love all tyranny deposes!

 

Scott L. Barton

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

+ + +

 

Luke 3:7–18

 

Leonardo da Vinci: St. John the Baptist

ca. 1513-1516, The Louvre, Paris

probably Leonardo's last painting

 

Good News, Despite Initial Appearances

 

He's not very Christmassy, this John the B.,

In calling them snakes, who from judgment would flee;

Who worry that God will not be on their side,

And therefore, to save themselves, others deride;

But John simply tells them a down-to-earth creed:

Be honest, not violent, and help those in need!

That's it! But still troubled all won’t be made right?

Then leave it to God! Not your goodness and might

Will enkindle the reign that you think should come now,

But the One by whose powerful love shows us how.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

 

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Second Sunday of Advent (C), December 5, 2021—Philippians 1:3–11 and Luke 3:1–6

Would you like to have all the poems for Year C in book form, something tangible to hold in your hand, which also has an index of all scriptural references in the poems and one of all the titles, too? It's a beautiful book which you can buy now at Wipf and Stock, Amazon, or other distributors—but the cheapest from me, at only $11 plus media postage of $3.19. I'll sign, and inscribe each copy as you like. Check or Venmo. Write me at SCOTT.L.BARTON[at sign]gmail[dot]com to tell me how many you'd like and where to mail. Makes a great gift! And many thanks for your interest in lectionarypoems!   —Scott

And now, for our regular program:

 

Philippians 1:3–11

 

The End of Going to Church

 

What if each of us who go to church—

The regulars and some-timers,

The grandparents and folks with kids,

The social climbers and the rhymers,

The single, married and the widowed,

The bill givers and big check signers,

The singers and the bell ringers,

The smilers and the oft-time whiners—

 

Would know the gospel’s what we share!

 

Not just the building that we pay for,

Not just committees that we’re on,

Not just the pastor and his visits,

Or her sermons, fine, to which we’re drawn;

But a treasure that no one can hold,

Cannot accumulate or save;

A strange, persistent gift among us,

From the cradle to the grave.

 

This is the end, the purpose for our going,

That we perceive the love we share,

So when we leave, a brand new world we’re knowing,

A brand new world to dare.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

 

+ + +

 

Luke 3:1–6

 

All Flesh Shall See the Salvation of God

 

All flesh shall see the salvation of God,

And not just the rulers, the well off and proud,

Not just the ones who live in the right places,

Who get lots of press and are known by their faces,

Not just the people who rule in the tabloids,

Or out on the field, with their skill or their steroids,

But you! With your wrongs, and the things you've not righted,

Will think again, seeing that God is delighted

To break every barrier that keeps separated

The folk for whom Love, all these long years, has waited!

 

Scott L. Barton

 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

First Sunday of Advent (C), November 28, 2021—Jeremiah 33:14–16; Luke 21:25–36

Jeremiah 33:14–16

 

Marc Chagall: The Prophet Jeremiah (Le prophète Jérémie), 1968

Musée national d’Art moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris

 

Prophet Time

 

If you, these days, in exile feel

From what you thought we were about,

Then Jeremiah is your friend,

Proclaiming faith ’gainst these days’ doubts.

 

And isn’t that our job these days,

That—though the throne be oft deranged—

We still proclaim a greater power

Our nagging, mean, malaise to change?

 

The prophet promised a regime

Would spring to life, and execute

A reign of doing right and good

No violence might then refute.

 

And so we wait this Branch again

That might be born from David’s line;

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

May peace from you our lives define!

 

Scott L. Barton

 

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The LORD is our righteousness.”

+ + +

Luke 21:25–36

 

We Would Ever Be More Faithful

 

PICARDY 8.7.8.7.8.7.                      French Carol

 

1. Let all mortal flesh keep silence,

As we grieve and mourn this day,

Gasping in the face of violence,

Lives and trust all torn away;

We would ever be more faithful,

Seeking peace from you, we pray.

 

2. Bombings that sow dread and terror,

Making tears for those who are lost,

Have the power to lead us to error,

Tolerance for others the cost;

We would ever be more faithful,

Never sunk, although we be tossed.

 

3. In the midst of fear and foreboding,

Christ, your way still lives herein,

Keep the love we've known from eroding,

Reign o'er us, and draw us in;

We would ever be more faithful,

Loving all, again, we begin.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

(This hymn was written in 2015 after bombings in Paris, Baghdad and Beirut. It would be suitable for congregational singing on Advent 1 or at any other appropriate time. The motto of Paris, "Elle est agitée par les vagues, et ne sombre pas,” essentially means, “Tossed, but not sunk.” Permission given for congregational use.

 

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

 

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

 

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B), November 14, 2021—1 Samuel 1:4–20 and 1 Samuel 2:1–10 (see also Luke 1:46–55); Mark 13:1–8

 1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (see also Luke 1:46–55)

Marc Chagall: Hannah Praying to God (ca. 1956)

 

Hannah's Hymn

 

Tune: St. Catherine (Faith of Our Fathers; Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me)

 

Hannah knew how her Elkanah

Forsook her not, nor cast aside,

He as a spendthrift, even more,

On Hannah, lavished love with pride.

Faith of our mothers, fathers, too,

Teach us God's love makes all things new!

 

Letting loose doubt the Lord provides,

Pouring out faith set Hannah free,

Her wish bore fruit by love and prayer,

And what she asked for, came to be.

Faith of our mothers, fathers, too,

Teach us God's love makes all things new!

 

"There is no Holy One like the LORD,"

Thus Hannah prayed, exulting that day;

Girding the feeble, thwarting the proud,

Love for the world will find a way!

Faith of our mothers, fathers, too,

Teach us God's love makes all things new!

 

Hannah could never know some day

Her prayer would be the model for

Another pray-er who magnified

The Lord, who in her joy she bore!

Faith of our mothers, fathers, too,

Teach us God's love makes all things new!

 

Scott L. Barton

 

On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

 

After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.

 

They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.”

 

+ + +

 

Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. “There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.”

 

+ + +

 

Mark 13:1–8  

 

New Birth

 

These days,

The cult of personality,

—Like those days—

Purports to be reality,

With many taken in

By blasting hype and rumored spin.

 

But Jesus knew,

That those with his mentality,

Would rage eschew,

Since every nationality

Someday will grin

To see in neighbor, kith and kin.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

 

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.

 

 

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 27 (B), November 7, 2021—Hebrews 9:24–28; Mark 12:38–44 and Ruth 3:1–5; 4:13–17

Hebrews 9:24–28

Rembrandt: Boaz and Ruth

Pen and brush, ca.1637-40, Berlin

 

Christ Carol

 

Perhaps the people who await the Lord’s return—

To deal with sheep and goats, and think he’d sinners spurn—

Should take a look at such a text as this and note,

Salvation comes to those who wait! The antidote

To fear and sin is Christ who saves, who does not hate,

Who is, for all of us, the certain advocate!

So put off fear of what’s to come in death—and life—

And put away the worry that provokes the strife

That some create o’er immigrants, or even Jews;

Because in Christ we have the sure and certain news

That no one is outside what Christ for all has done,

So, say with Tiny Tim: God bless us, every one.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

 

+  +  + 

 

Mark 12:38–44 and Ruth 3:1–5; 4:13–17

 

Not Ruthless!

 

Beware of those who like the part,

who like the way they look in robes,

perfecting every day their art.

This is the same all o'er the globe.

 

If I forget, pull out this text;

remind me of the widow, poor,

who gave—not knowing what came next—

from trust that, on her, love still poured.

 

An earlier widow used her wits

to snag a man for Ruth (and her!)

while knowing all along, grace is

the gift of what could be, conferred.

 

Thus, Obed, David's grandpa, born

to one who served Naomi dear,

was named for service, like that sworn

by One who, in his line, appeared.

 

If Boaz didn't bite, the Christ

we know might never have been born;

This widow's trust in God sufficed;

Not ruthless, we're by love adorned!

 

(The name "Obed" can mean "worker" or "servant.")

 

Scott L. Barton

 

Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.” She said to her, “All that you tell me I will do.”

 

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

 

+ + +

 

As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

 

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

 

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Proper 26 (B), October 31, 2021—Ruth 1:1–18; Mark 12:28–34

 Ruth 1:1–18

        William Blake: Naomi Entreating Ruth and Orpah to Return to the Land of Moab

 

 

Ruthful

 

Three times it’s “daughters” that Naomi calls them,

And urges they turn back, and not proceed;

But step-mothers, such daughters still might turn from,

And for a family of their own be freed.

 

Bloods thicker, say, than water, but I wonder:

By care for this, her in-law, Ruth did feed,

And let not lack of blood tear them asunder,

But showed a greater love, more true, indeed.

 

The love she didn’t have to give, she rendered,

Perhaps to all her offspring down the line;

And Joseph, generations later tendered

This quality his son’s life would define.

 

(Dedicated to Naomi Ruth Cassidy)

 

Scott L. Barton

 

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

 

Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.” Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

 

So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said,

 

“Do not press me to leave you

or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go;

Where you lodge, I will lodge;

your people shall be my people,

and your God my God.

Where you die, I will die—

there will I be buried.

May the Lord do thus and so to me,

and more as well,

if even death parts me from you!”

 

When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

 

 

+  +  +

 

Mark 12:28-34

A Saint of a Different Color

 

We like to paint the Pharisees and scribes

With one broad brush, as if they're all one tribe,

And think alike!—'til such a text reminds

Us even Jesus would not have us blind

To God's salvation in some faithful soul

Who, by our standards, doesn't fit the role.

Thus, those who follow Jesus dare to see

One never knows who's in the family tree.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.