As It Happened
Ruth 2:1-23
Naomi, in the first act of this story, is surrounded by death. As she embodies loving kindness, Ruth becomes a companion to Naomi that opens up a new path into the future for both of them. In making this commitment of loving kindness, Ruth emulates God and how God acts in the world. God works constantly to open up paths into the future that are defined by divine love. This relationship between Naomi and Ruth points also us to recognize how God is present between us in our relationships with one another. As chapter ends, Naomi is greeted by the people of Bethlehem, the house of bread. Their response is ambiguous at best as some celebrate her return in a diminished state while others know her pain and empathize with her. As we move to the second act of this story in our reading today, Naomi and Ruth must confront again their pressing needs…the need for food today, as well as next week, and for the months to come.
Our reading today opens in heart of harvest time and Ruth says to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and glean” (v. 2). Gleaning is the act of going into the fields and picking up the leftover grain that is there. Landowners in ancient Israel would leave standing the grain at the edge of the fields and those missed in the reaping for the poor and the immigrants to gather for themselves as food (Cf. Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19). Gleaning became a way to care for those living on the margins of the society. Naomi fits into the category of the poor; and Ruth falls into the category of being both poor and being an immigrant.
As it happened Ruth ended up in the part of the field belonging to Boaz. And as it happened, Boaz came out to check on the harvest and he sees Ruth and asks his workers who she is. They tell him that she is Naomi’s daughter-in-law and that she has been working diligently all day. Boaz tells her to stay close to his workers and to remain in his fields to gather. It is an act of protection and generosity. Boaz answers Ruth about why he is taking these steps and he tells her it is because fo the loving kindness that Ruth has shown to Naomi. At mealtime, Boaz even invites Ruth to come and eat with his workers. He goes further and tells his workers to let her continue to glean and even give her some extra bundles of grain to take with her at the end of the day. Boaz acts with incredible generosity mirroring the generosity of God. Ruth goes home at the end of the day with an abundance of grain and she continues to do the same each day until the end of the harvest.
“As it happened…”, this phrase invites us to recognize what is going on in the story or Ruth and Naomi as more than just coincidence. It invites us to recognize the activity of God in our lives in all moments. The story teller here subtly slips this work of God into the story. While it is subtle, it is essential to the story of Ruth and Naomi…and it is essential to our stories. When the marks of God like loving kindness and extravagant generosity mark our actions and our decisions, then we are opening ourselves to the activity of God in our lives.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever experienced a relationship like that between Naomi and Ruth?
How is such a relationship sustaining for both people?
How have you experienced extravagant generosity like Boaz exhibits?
When have you had an “As it happened…” moment and experienced it as the activity of God in your life?