Naomi
Your people will be my people and your God will be my God (Ruth 1:16)
The book of Ruth introduces us to the great-grandmother of King David. Ruth is a Moabitess, a descendent of Lot, who is the nephew of Abraham. Ruth returns to the faith of Abraham and becomes grafted into the people of Israel and an ancestor of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Ruth is a model of compassion, fidelity, and great courage, but she would have remained unknown to history and outside our salvation story if it had not been for Naomi. In our culture it is common to hear mother-in-law jokes because this relationship can be difficult to navigate. This is why Naomi stands out so much. Ruth left her own family, her own homeland, and her own culture to stay with Naomi. We have to ask ourselves, what is it about Naomi that was so marvelous to have inspired such devotion?
Naomi was a faithful Israelite who loved God with all her heart. It was from this deep well of love that she acted with humility, selflessness, kindness, and gentleness toward Ruth. Naomi lived her faith with such conviction that Ruth came to know Naomi’s God. In spite of her sorrows, Naomi radiated a peace that was so compelling that Ruth wanted that more than she wanted anything else. She had found her pearl of great price and was willing to give up everything else to keep it.
Naomi is a prefiguring of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Naomi draws the Gentile to Bethlehem with her just as Mary, who chose to accompany Joseph for the census, draws the Gentile Magi to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. Naomi shows us that the faith of her people isn’t reserved to only those of her race, but to all those who acknowledge and love God. The Adoration of the Magi shows us that God calls all people to Himself. Naomi sends Ruth to her kinsman Boaz who has the right of redemption over her just as Mary brings us to Jesus for our redemption. Through the death of her son, Naomi becomes a true mother to her daughter in law. At the foot of the cross and the death of Her Son, Mary receives all of us as Her children. (Jn 19:26) Ruth’s devotion to Naomi leads her to the faith, the love of a good and just man, and a new home. Our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary leads us to deeper faith, a greater unity with Jesus, and eternity in the home He has prepared for us.
