Daily Retreat 08/22/09
2009 Aug 22 Sat:Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary M
Ru 2:1-3. 8-11; 4:13-17/ Ps 127(128):1b-2. 3. 4. 5/ Mt 23:1-12
From today’s readings: “Blessed is the LORD who has not failed to provide you today with an heir.... See how the Lord blesses those who fear Him.... Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted....”
Family Ties
The mobility of our society and many other factors have contributed to an overall weakening of family ties. The Book of Ruth, however, is a reminder that such family ties are more than mere social customs that can come or go, because it was God Himself who ordained the traditional family as the unit through which He would continue the propagation of the human race.
You might recall that, in the Pentateuch, a number of actual laws were recorded that were designed specifically to strengthen and preserve family ties. Some of the laws provided for the return of family lands after being mortgaged or sold in times of dire poverty (e.g., Lev. 25:25-28). Another law stipulated that if a man died without children, his brother was expected to marry the widow and beget descendants in the name of the deceased man (cf. Deut 25:5-6; such a marriage was called a "levirate" marriage, from the Latin word levir, meaning “husband's brother”). Many of these customs were based on assumptions of primogeniture, that idea that the oldest son should be the main agent for preserving and strengthening family prestige and property over the generations.
The Book of Ruth shows how such laws, even if considered obsolete for our times, did indeed provide some basis of security for widows, for both Ruth and Naomi are rewarded with a happy ending for their faithfulness. In every age, those who defend and recognize the family as an obvious part of God’s plan continue the noble tradition recorded in the Book of Ruth, for those who cling dearly to family ties will find them to be a great blessing!
Ru 2:1-3. 8-11; 4:13-17/ Ps 127(128):1b-2. 3. 4. 5/ Mt 23:1-12
From today’s readings: “Blessed is the LORD who has not failed to provide you today with an heir.... See how the Lord blesses those who fear Him.... Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted....”
Family Ties
The mobility of our society and many other factors have contributed to an overall weakening of family ties. The Book of Ruth, however, is a reminder that such family ties are more than mere social customs that can come or go, because it was God Himself who ordained the traditional family as the unit through which He would continue the propagation of the human race.
You might recall that, in the Pentateuch, a number of actual laws were recorded that were designed specifically to strengthen and preserve family ties. Some of the laws provided for the return of family lands after being mortgaged or sold in times of dire poverty (e.g., Lev. 25:25-28). Another law stipulated that if a man died without children, his brother was expected to marry the widow and beget descendants in the name of the deceased man (cf. Deut 25:5-6; such a marriage was called a "levirate" marriage, from the Latin word levir, meaning “husband's brother”). Many of these customs were based on assumptions of primogeniture, that idea that the oldest son should be the main agent for preserving and strengthening family prestige and property over the generations.
The Book of Ruth shows how such laws, even if considered obsolete for our times, did indeed provide some basis of security for widows, for both Ruth and Naomi are rewarded with a happy ending for their faithfulness. In every age, those who defend and recognize the family as an obvious part of God’s plan continue the noble tradition recorded in the Book of Ruth, for those who cling dearly to family ties will find them to be a great blessing!
posted by FrPitstick | 8/20/2009
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