Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22 / Matthew 22:34-40
One of the top needs of human beings is the need for security. We need to protect ourselves in order to have peace of mind.
When we have peace of mind, then we would be able to look at other needs like food and clothing.
But we often reverse the process by looking around and seeing what we can get from others.
We think that by getting more and more from others, we will be secured and feel protected.
But the reality is actually the opposite. In fact when we give of ourselves to others, it is we ourselves who will have peace of mind.
As we heard in the 1st reading, Ruth could have followed her sister-in-law and return to her own people and that was perfectly alright and even Naomi her mother-in-law encouraged her to do so.
Yet Ruth choose to give of herself to follow her mother-in-law to go to a foreign land and hence giving up her sense of belonging and security.
But for giving up herself and giving of herself to Naomi, God blessed her and her name is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.
She exemplifies the teaching of Jesus to love God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind.
When we give our heart and soul and mind to God, we will be secure and be at peace.