The book of Ruth
Chapter
3
¹ 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.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 1)
Oh God, my beloved Father, many people seek their security and well-being in marriage, thinking that a young lady would find herself a companion with whom to share her life and he could provide her with a better future. The young man may also wish to marry and make a happy family and in doing so feel more complete and self-fulfilled. However, there are certain securities such as our spiritual well-being that not a lot of people consider. From my experience, I confess that when I lived the married life I was not as whole and complete as the present times. Now that I am in the process of separating I can dedicate the rest of my life to You my God and Father in a way that is again different from when I was living a life of a pre-novice. I thank You, God for this time of spiritual freedom Amen.
² Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. ³ 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.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verses 2 to 3)
Oh God, my beloved Father, Ruth was instructed to look her best before going in the presence of Boaz. In order to be effective, Ruth was to intervene at a specific time so as not to spoil his moment of pleasure and maybe relaxation.
On the same parallels when coming in Your presence we also need to be well prepared, anointed with the sacrament of reconciliation with an attitude of forgiveness and an open heart to receive You Amen. When going to Mass we are to participate at the right moments which requires our active participation even if our voices are off or are in discord. God does not want us to be pop singers but he wants our praise and worships Amen.
Thank You, Jesus Amen.
⁴ 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."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 4)
Oh God my beloved Father, I will go wherever You want me to go, I will go to the places where I know I can find You and then You will also tell me what to do, I am waiting for an answer my God and Father Amen. It could be that I have been looking for You in the wrong places, and this is why I did not find You. Amen.
⁵ "All that you tell me I will do."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 5)
Oh God my Father as much as Ruth pledged her obedience to her mother-in-law, we are also to do the same to You. We must give our word, and pray for the strength and the will to obey Your will Amen.
⁶ So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 6)
Oh God my beloved Father I pray that I be ready to obey You as much as I obey my earthly superiors Amen
⁷ When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came stealthily and uncovered his feet, and lay down. ⁸ At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and there lying at his feet, was a woman!
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verses 7 to 8)
Oh God my beloved Father, You have a habit of intervening at times or moments in our lives, when we least expect them, and as in the case of Boaz You leave us amazed. I thank You for doing so my God and Father Amen. Even though we may not be aware You are always at work on our behalf Amen.
⁹ He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth, your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, fir you are next-of-kin."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 9)
² Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. ³ 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.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verses 2 to 3)
Oh God, my beloved Father, Ruth was instructed to look her best before going in the presence of Boaz. In order to be effective, Ruth was to intervene at a specific time so as not to spoil his moment of pleasure and maybe relaxation.
On the same parallels when coming in Your presence we also need to be well prepared, anointed with the sacrament of reconciliation with an attitude of forgiveness and an open heart to receive You Amen. When going to Mass we are to participate at the right moments which requires our active participation even if our voices are off or are in discord. God does not want us to be pop singers but he wants our praise and worships Amen.
Thank You, Jesus Amen.
⁴ 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."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 4)
Oh God my beloved Father, I will go wherever You want me to go, I will go to the places where I know I can find You and then You will also tell me what to do, I am waiting for an answer my God and Father Amen. It could be that I have been looking for You in the wrong places, and this is why I did not find You. Amen.
⁵ "All that you tell me I will do."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 5)
Oh God my Father as much as Ruth pledged her obedience to her mother-in-law, we are also to do the same to You. We must give our word, and pray for the strength and the will to obey Your will Amen.
⁶ So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 6)
Oh God my beloved Father I pray that I be ready to obey You as much as I obey my earthly superiors Amen
⁷ When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came stealthily and uncovered his feet, and lay down. ⁸ At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and there lying at his feet, was a woman!
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verses 7 to 8)
Oh God my beloved Father, You have a habit of intervening at times or moments in our lives, when we least expect them, and as in the case of Boaz You leave us amazed. I thank You for doing so my God and Father Amen. Even though we may not be aware You are always at work on our behalf Amen.
⁹ He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth, your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, fir you are next-of-kin."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 9)
Oh God my Father, I also give myself to You for as my loving and blessed Father, You are also my next of kin. You are my entire family and I give You thanks and praise Amen.
¹⁰ He said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter; this last instance of your loyalty is better than the first; you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 10)
Oh God my beloved Father as Boaz blessed Ruth for having chosen him among other men who were either richer or poorer than himself, You also bless us for our choices. I thank You oh God my Father, for all the good choices that I have made according to Your will even though at the time I may have not been aware that I was acting according to Your will Amen. May Your will continue to unfold and make itself known to me Amen.
¹¹ And now, my daughter, do not be afraid, I will do for you all that you ask, for all the assembly of my people know that you are a worthy woman.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 11)
I bless and thank You God my Father for all your encouragement, for even though many people have different opinions of me, You are the only one who knows me as I really am and loves and accepts me as I really am Amen.
¹² But now though it is true that I am a near kinsman there is another kinsman more closely related than I.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 12)
Oh God, my Father, even though we are related humanly to each other, our closest relative is Yourself, for we are connected by both blood and spirit Amen.
¹³ Remain this night, and in the morning, if he will act as next-of-kin for you, good; let him do it. If he is not willing to act as next-of-kin for you, then as the LORD lives, I will act as next=of-kin for you. Lie down until the morning."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 13)
Oh God, my loving Father, I would like You to be my guardian, even though I am an adult, for there is none like You. You died and paid the price of my redemption and You adopted me as one of Your sons. I pray that You always stand by and protect me, my God and Father Amen.
¹⁴ So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before one person could recognize another; for he said, "It must not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 14)
Oh my God many things are done at night things that should never have been ever done, however, what is done in darkness will be one day exposed to the light, that which was done in secret will become public Amen.
¹⁵ Then he said, "Bring the cloak you are wearing and hold it out." So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley, and put it on her back; then he went into the city.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 15)
Oh God, my Father, as humans we have a nice way to cover up our sins, in order to keep the other person's mouth shut we give money, during these times it was barley. I pray for people who are caught in such schemes and are slaves to the blackmailer for all their lives especially in serious cases of abuse or other scandalous acts Amen.
¹⁶ She came to her mother-in-law, who said, "How did things go with you, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her, ¹⁷ saying, "He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, 'Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verses 16 to 17)
Even though this is not the case my God and Father, I pray for all parents especially for those who end up using their children in a circle of abuse, parents who end up being in alliance with the abuser in order to obtain personal gain. I also pray for the victims of such negative actions so that they will not be scarred for life Amen.
¹⁸ She replied, "Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 18)
Oh God, my Father, when we are in sin when our spirit is not at rest. When we are in such a state of emotional turmoil or discomfort facing dilemmas, such as maybe if I will terminate this pregnancy or ending my life, or filing for a divorce or separation or even reporting a crime or injustice. Your presence in us prompts us to either seek repentance or a way of finding a healthy and durable solution to the issue. I pray that we always be united with You and in You and that a state of internal and external peace reigns in and around us. Amen.
Oh God my Father on meditating on the third chapter of the book of Ruth I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer.
¹² But now though it is true that I am a near kinsman there is another kinsman more closely related than I.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 12)
Oh God, my Father, even though we are related humanly to each other, our closest relative is Yourself, for we are connected by both blood and spirit Amen.
¹³ Remain this night, and in the morning, if he will act as next-of-kin for you, good; let him do it. If he is not willing to act as next-of-kin for you, then as the LORD lives, I will act as next=of-kin for you. Lie down until the morning."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 13)
Oh God, my loving Father, I would like You to be my guardian, even though I am an adult, for there is none like You. You died and paid the price of my redemption and You adopted me as one of Your sons. I pray that You always stand by and protect me, my God and Father Amen.
¹⁴ So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before one person could recognize another; for he said, "It must not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 14)
Oh my God many things are done at night things that should never have been ever done, however, what is done in darkness will be one day exposed to the light, that which was done in secret will become public Amen.
¹⁵ Then he said, "Bring the cloak you are wearing and hold it out." So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley, and put it on her back; then he went into the city.
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 15)
Oh God, my Father, as humans we have a nice way to cover up our sins, in order to keep the other person's mouth shut we give money, during these times it was barley. I pray for people who are caught in such schemes and are slaves to the blackmailer for all their lives especially in serious cases of abuse or other scandalous acts Amen.
¹⁶ She came to her mother-in-law, who said, "How did things go with you, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her, ¹⁷ saying, "He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, 'Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verses 16 to 17)
Even though this is not the case my God and Father, I pray for all parents especially for those who end up using their children in a circle of abuse, parents who end up being in alliance with the abuser in order to obtain personal gain. I also pray for the victims of such negative actions so that they will not be scarred for life Amen.
¹⁸ She replied, "Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today."
(Book of Ruth Chapter 3 verse 18)
Oh God, my Father, when we are in sin when our spirit is not at rest. When we are in such a state of emotional turmoil or discomfort facing dilemmas, such as maybe if I will terminate this pregnancy or ending my life, or filing for a divorce or separation or even reporting a crime or injustice. Your presence in us prompts us to either seek repentance or a way of finding a healthy and durable solution to the issue. I pray that we always be united with You and in You and that a state of internal and external peace reigns in and around us. Amen.
Oh God my Father on meditating on the third chapter of the book of Ruth I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer.
As parents we aim at seeking the best for our children, however, at times we reach alternatives such as marriage which is not always the solution. I pray that we turn on You and discern the consequences before acting. Amen.
