Voices Found: sharing the harvest!

 Voices Found #33

The grain is ripe

The grain is ripe: the harvest comes!

good seed of hope, your time is now

justice will stream from hill and river, more than you

dream and running over.

The righteous God gives this and more:

grace is the mode, mercy the key,

God comes in truth, the sharpest laser to scan the

earth, to take our measure.

The work of peace is all for all,

face turned to face in open trust,

all famine gone and thirst and bleeding, the harvest

comes from love's good seeding.

Words: Shirley Erena Murray (1931-2020)

Music: Greensborough, Philip Nunn (b. 1961)

Ruth and Naomi were vulnerable migrants. Since the time of Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham, starving families have been forced to flee poverty and famine, to search for food and sustenance in far away lands.  Shirley Erena Murray's hymn, "The grain is ripe," assures us of  The Faithful One's   providence in the face of famine, fear, and injustice.  Ruth and Naomi fled famine in Moab;  they traveled to  the land of Judah where they had heard  Mother God provided for her people.   The women  walked in faith with courage, trusting in God's promise of grace and mercy: "all famine gone and thirst and bleeding, the harvest comes with love's good seeding."

Ruth 1:1-14 is appointed for Proper 11 (closest to July 20) in the Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year B.  

Then she (Naomi) got up, she and her daughters-in-law and she returned (to Judah) from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Faithful One had considered God's people (in Judah) and given them food.  Ruth 1:6, tr. Gafney, The Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church Year B

The Lectionary also appoints Mark 12:41-44 in which Jesus highlights the faithfulness of a poor widow.

Now Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury.  Many rich people put in much.  One poor widow came and put in two small Greek copper coins, which together are worth the smallest Roman coin.  Then Jesus called the disciples and said to them,"Truly I tell you all, this poor widow has put in more than all those giving to the treasury.  For all of them out of their abundance have given, but she out of her lack has put in everything she had, her whole livelihood. 

Reflection:

Voices Found #21, verse 1 

God of the women who answered your call,

trusting your promise, giving their all,

women like Sarah and Hannah and Ruth

give us their courage to live in your truth.

Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Music: Slane, Irish ballad melody

Meditation: 

We cannot walk alone.  Naomi and Ruth traveled  together as pilgrims.  Do you need a companion in faith?  Ask for God's help.  Ask for a companion to share your journey.

Perhaps someone needs YOU as a companion?  Ask God to show you how to offer peace, joy,  and comfort on their journey. Thank God for the pilgrims who walk with you.  

O God of Ruth and Naomi, give me your courage  to live in your truth; help me share your harvest of peace, love, and abundance.