Deep Meaning in the Book of Ruth

The story of Ruth and Boaz in the Bible is far more than a love story. In this episode, Kelly Anderson explores its deeper significance and the way it reveals a theology of Woman as a vehicle of God’s blessing; a theology of married love as mutual self-giving that leads to joy and blessing; and its powerful message that God can bring light and life into the darkest situations.

Kelly Anderson chairs the Department of Sacred Scripture at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where she is on the Board of Trustees. She earned her PhD from Catholic University, a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and a Bachelors in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. She contributed the Introduction to the Old Testament and essays on Ruth and Judith for the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible and is author of the commentary on James for the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture.

Take Kelly’s Favorite Scripture to Your Next Holy Hour

Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today.

Read the Word: Ruth 4:13–17

(Read it in your own Bible to get the context, and so you can make notes)

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.  Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next of kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel!  He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse.  And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Ponder the Word: Read several times, lingering where it touches your heart. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you?

Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard, and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care.

Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?