Saturday, August 7, 2004
Dormition Fast Martyrs Dometios and Sozon
Kellia: Ruth 3:1-18 Epistle: Romans 15:30-33 Gospel: St. Matthew 17:24-18:4
Ruth 3:1-18 RSV, especially vs. 5: "And she replied, 'All that
you say I will do.'" In today's passage from Ruth, let us recognize a type of the Mystery by which
each Christian is united to Christ: before a Catechumen is exorcised, he presents himself with his
sponsor to the Priest, indicating that he desires to "flee unto [His] Holy Name, and...take refuge
under the shelter of [His] wings." On the Lord's behalf, "the Priest breathes thrice in the face of
the Catechumen, makes the sign of the Cross thrice on his brow and breast, and says, "In the
Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." Then the Priest lays his hand
upon the candidate's head, acknowledging his choice to unite himself to "the flock of [His]
inheritance," and to "bow down also before Him" submitting to Him as "King and God." Thus,
submission is made to Christ as Bridegroom, opening the path to "the Bridal chamber."
As Ruth labored as a beggar in the fields of Boaz, she learned the stature and character of this
"near kinsman" (vs. 12) - that he was kind and of great mercy, that she had found favor in his
sight, and that he was an honorable man. Much in the same manner, the Christian inquirer finds
the same to be true of Christ our God - and much, much more. This discovery prepares one to
submit to the prompting of the Holy Spirit Who directs all the Faithful to Christ (Jn. 15:26),
Who, "with His winnowing fan...in His hand...will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and
gather His wheat into the barn..." (Mt. 3:17).
In the place of the Holy Spirit, in this type, Ruth is instructed by Naomi, her mother-in-law, who
tells her how she should proceed to espouse herself to the godly Boaz: "My daughter, should I
not seek a home for you, that it may be well with you?" (Ru. 3:1) Literally, the phrase is "shall I
not seek rest for thee" (KJV has it so). St. Augustine says the same for all the Faithful: "Thou
hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in Thee."
The Moabite woman "came softly, and uncovered [Boaz'] feet, and lay down" (Ru. 3:7). She
modestly placed herself in submission to him, expressing her readiness to be united to him as his
wife. Each of the Lord's own likewise places himself beneath Christ's feet. Note: God the
Father has seated Christ at His right hand, as He declared through the Prophet, "till I make Thine
enemies Thy footstool" (Mt. 22:44). As Ruth sealed her decision to be no longer a Moabite
enemy of God's People, but to prostrate herself at feet of a son of Israel, so each Catechumen
"renounces Satan" and places himself under Christ, bowing down before Him.
Notice that when Boaz discovered Ruth's presence at Midnight and identified who she was, she
freely admitted her purpose and begged him to "spread your covering over your maidservant, for
you are next of kin," that is, you are the nearest of kin and can redeem the right of the childless
kinsman who perished in Moab (Ru. 3:9). As we have already noted, at the beginning of the
Baptismal Mystery, the Lord likewise declares to His new disciple, through His Priest, that he
"hath been found worthy to take refuge under the shelter of [His] wings," as a true member of the
Jerusalem that is above (Mt. 23:37).
In the fashion of our Lord Jesus Christ, Boaz spoke kindly to Ruth, blessing her and calling her
"Daughter" (Ru. 3:10), as the Lord speaks kindly to the soul of each disciple. Further, the man
promised marriage, but declared that he must fulfill the Law completely and determine whether a
nearer kinsman would not exercise his right (vs. 13). Likewise, the Lord came "under the law, to
redeem them that were under the law" (Gal. 4:4,5).
I behold Thy bridal chamber, richly adorned, O my Savior; but I have no wedding garment to
worthily enter. Make radiant the garment of my soul and save me.
