Read Ruth 1:1-9 to get some story details for this week's reading.
(The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice ™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society)
A long time ago, when judges still ruled over Israel and the land was dried up with famine, a man from Bethlehem, which ironically means “place of bread,” left his home in Judah to live as a foreigner in the land of Moab. He traveled with his wife and their two sons. His name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi; their two sons were called Mahlon and Chilion. They were descendants of Ephraim’s tribe from Bethlehem in Judah. They had settled and made lives for themselves in Moab, but soon after, Elimelech died leaving Naomi in the care of her sons. Each son married a woman from Moab— one was named Orpah, the other Ruth— and they lived together for 10 years before Mahlon and Chilion died also. Naomi was left alone, without her husband and two sons. Word had reached Moab that the Eternal One had once again brought life back to the land of Israel and blessed His people with food. Naomi prepared to return with her daughters-in-law. With Orpah and Ruth at her side, she began her journey back to Judah, leaving the place where she had lived. Naomi (to Orpah and Ruth): You have accompanied me far enough; you must both return to Moab. Go home to your mothers’ care and your people. May the Eternal show His loyal love to you just as you demonstrated it to my dead sons and me. I hope He will bring you new husbands and that you will find the rest you deserve in their homes. She drew close, kissed them, and turned to go on her way, alone. But Orpah and Ruth wailed and sobbed, crying out to her.
When you are ready I invite you to spend a few moments in the silence to prepare your heart to receive the Word of God and to open your inner eye to “see” God as you prayerfully consider the Scripture passage for this week. Breathe deeply and settle into your soul with a simple breath prayer. Use this one or create your own (six to eight syllables)
Breathe in … Eternal One (pause) Breath out … You are my God! (pause)
The Lectio Divina Method this week comes from http://www.journeycenter.org
Lectio (READ): On the first reading of Ruth 1:10-18, simply open yourself to the presence of the Eternal One. Read the passage slowly and prayerfully, allowing short pauses between sentences. As you read, take in the words and the overall flow of the passage. Then allow a time of silence following the reading- continue to open yourself to the Spirit of God.
(The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice ™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society)
A long time ago, when judges still ruled over Israel and the land was dried up with famine, a man from Bethlehem, which ironically means “place of bread,” left his home in Judah to live as a foreigner in the land of Moab. He traveled with his wife and their two sons. His name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi; their two sons were called Mahlon and Chilion. They were descendants of Ephraim’s tribe from Bethlehem in Judah. They had settled and made lives for themselves in Moab, but soon after, Elimelech died leaving Naomi in the care of her sons. Each son married a woman from Moab— one was named Orpah, the other Ruth— and they lived together for 10 years before Mahlon and Chilion died also. Naomi was left alone, without her husband and two sons. Word had reached Moab that the Eternal One had once again brought life back to the land of Israel and blessed His people with food. Naomi prepared to return with her daughters-in-law. With Orpah and Ruth at her side, she began her journey back to Judah, leaving the place where she had lived. Naomi (to Orpah and Ruth): You have accompanied me far enough; you must both return to Moab. Go home to your mothers’ care and your people. May the Eternal show His loyal love to you just as you demonstrated it to my dead sons and me. I hope He will bring you new husbands and that you will find the rest you deserve in their homes. She drew close, kissed them, and turned to go on her way, alone. But Orpah and Ruth wailed and sobbed, crying out to her.
 |
| Naomi entreats Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab. William Blake 1795. Public domain. |
Breathe in … Eternal One (pause) Breath out … You are my God! (pause)
The Lectio Divina Method this week comes from http://www.journeycenter.org
Lectio (READ): On the first reading of Ruth 1:10-18, simply open yourself to the presence of the Eternal One. Read the passage slowly and prayerfully, allowing short pauses between sentences. As you read, take in the words and the overall flow of the passage. Then allow a time of silence following the reading- continue to open yourself to the Spirit of God.
Read Ruth 1:10-18 Orpah and Ruth: Do not leave us! We insist you take us with you to live with you and your people. Naomi: Go back to your homes, my daughters. What possible reason would you have for returning with me? Do you think there are more sons inside of me? Will you marry these unborn sons? Listen to me, daughters, and go back. I am too old; I will not marry again because I cannot conceive. But even if I could— if I still believed there was hope for me, or if I had a husband and conceived sons tonight— would you waste a lifetime waiting for them to grow up? Would you let this hope for the future keep you from remarrying now? Of course not, my dear daughters. It is obvious that the Eternal has acted against me. My life is much too bitter for you to share with me. At this Orpah and Ruth wailed and wept again. Then Orpah kissed Naomi, said goodbye, and returned the way she had come. Yet Ruth refused to let go of Naomi. Naomi: Look at your sister-in-law. She has returned to live with her people and to worship her gods; go and follow her. Ruth: Stop pushing me away, insisting that I stop following you! Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will also die and be buried there near you. May the Eternal One punish me— and even more so— if anything besides death comes between us. When Naomi heard this and saw Ruth’s resolve, she stopped trying to talk her out of returning to Judah.
Meditatio (REFLECT): On the second prayerful reading of the passage, listen for a particular word or a phrase through which God wants to speak to you. You will notice your attention being drawn to something (or if this doesn't happen, just choose a word). Once you have "received" the word or phrase, begin to silently meditate on that. Reflect on why God would highlight this for you today, ask questions that come to mind, and note things that seem important as you meditate on what has been given to you. Remember that the focus is on listening to what God has to say to you.
Oratio (RESPOND): On the third prayerful reading of the passage, listen now for God's invitation, and respond from your heart. The Living God is always inviting us in some way... to let go of something, or to take up something; to do something or be something… the invitation can take innumerable forms. Following the reading, continue to listen for an invitation and then respond silently from an honest heart.
Contemplatio (REST): The focus of the fourth prayerful reading of the passage is to simply rest now in the love that God has for you. Let the words wash over you- there is no further need to reflect or respond- allow God's Spirit to draw you close and fill you with His love, grace and peace. Linger in this place of deep connection, for you are being filled and refreshed for your continuing journey.
You are invited to take a word, phrase or image with you when it is time to return to your day... something to which you can turn to throughout the day… something that will remind you of the love of God for you, and the special message poured into you as you read and prayed with the sacred text!
Meditatio (REFLECT): On the second prayerful reading of the passage, listen for a particular word or a phrase through which God wants to speak to you. You will notice your attention being drawn to something (or if this doesn't happen, just choose a word). Once you have "received" the word or phrase, begin to silently meditate on that. Reflect on why God would highlight this for you today, ask questions that come to mind, and note things that seem important as you meditate on what has been given to you. Remember that the focus is on listening to what God has to say to you.
Oratio (RESPOND): On the third prayerful reading of the passage, listen now for God's invitation, and respond from your heart. The Living God is always inviting us in some way... to let go of something, or to take up something; to do something or be something… the invitation can take innumerable forms. Following the reading, continue to listen for an invitation and then respond silently from an honest heart.
Contemplatio (REST): The focus of the fourth prayerful reading of the passage is to simply rest now in the love that God has for you. Let the words wash over you- there is no further need to reflect or respond- allow God's Spirit to draw you close and fill you with His love, grace and peace. Linger in this place of deep connection, for you are being filled and refreshed for your continuing journey.
You are invited to take a word, phrase or image with you when it is time to return to your day... something to which you can turn to throughout the day… something that will remind you of the love of God for you, and the special message poured into you as you read and prayed with the sacred text!
No comments:
Post a Comment