Lectio Divina: what's up with Ruth

During this past Sunday's practice of lectio divina, we were invited to think about a particular section of the narrative retold in the book of Ruth (see below). As we moved through the multiple readings of the text, several thoughts came to mind, and I share them here as nothing but HAT's observations about a very peculiar story of, in my opinion, faith and family.

+ Wonderful mother/daughter-in-law relationship. See how Naomi calls Ruth "daughter" as if it is a close relationship. See how Naomi wants to care for Ruth's security
+ Working together as mother/daughter tag-team: what a great story of guile, cunning, perhaps also a bit of manipulation? Is this a story of entrapment?
+ Ruth was so independent, strong, free-willed. Yet the narrative here only has her respond in a very obedient way, agreeing to this plot of Naomi's without so much as a word of protest. Narrative/story tellers frustrate me. What are they leaving out?! Why is the story retold in this way? What's with the mystery twists and turns?
+ Ruth does the hard work, and Naomi is praised and blessed by the women of the village. What? Where's Ruth in this?
+ See how the women recognize/acknowledge that Ruth loves Naomi and is dearer and better than seven sons... leave it to the women to recognize such power. The narrative gives voice to the women of the village!
+ Power of naming is a privilege, an honor, an authority and in this instance, the women name the child Obed. Not Ruth, not Boaz, not Naomi.
+ Strange, but I like it -- that Boaz is not mentioned in the naming section of the narrative. Biblical stories so often lift up the men, the patriarchal society, the male-dominated communities, and Boaz is clearly a man of wealth, power, influence, honor, integrity... but this story belongs to Naomi and to Ruth, and not to Boaz. Ha!

A brief, brief guide from the practice of Lectio Divina, suggested by Jeremy Langford in Seeds of Faith (pg. 73):

• Lectio (Reading): Read the chosen text reflectively and slowly. Enter into it as deeply as you can. Reread all or part of the text several times. If it helps, read aloud. Stop when a particular word, phrase, or image strikes you.
• Meditatio (Pondering): Stay with whatever touches you. Ponder and savor it, letting it penetrate your awareness, mind, and heart.
• Oratio (Praying): As you ponder, a prayer of thanks, repentance, need, or love may emerge. Allow yourself to express your prayer. Take as long as you need. What is it you seek most in life right now? What do you most want to say to God? What do you most want to hear from God?
• Contemplatio (Resting in God): At times, your prayer moves beyond words and images. When this happens, you are "resting in God." Let yourself trust enough to yield to the moment. As the sense of resting cease, return to reading the text and let the rhythm of reading, pondering, praying, and resting in God play itself out naturally and fluidly.
• End each time of lectio divina with a prayer, such as the Lord's prayer.

Lectio:
1) As you read through the story of Ruth and Naomi the first time around, what images come to mind? Think of all the different types of imagery that might leap out from the narrative: visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, kinesthetic, etc.
2) For the second reading, what phrases capture your attention? What words did you concentrate on?
3) For the third reading, what ideas or thoughts or questions come to mind?

Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
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.

3:2 Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

3:3 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.

3:4 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."

3:5 She said to her, "All that you tell me I will do."

4:13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son.

4:14 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!

4:15 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."

4:16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse.

4:17 The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.