Rev. Brian Johnson
Scripture: Ruth 2:1-12; Hebrews 9:11-14
Today we return to the story of Ruth, and we find her and her mother-in-law, Naomi, desperate – in a land far from where they had been living, with no one to provide for them, unsure of where to find their next meal. And, so, they have to glean – finding leftover food that hasn’t been harvested – in order to survive. Today we will talk about the practice of gleaning – what this biblical practice teaches us about God’s vision for generosity and human economic practices – and also about what it means to be stubbornly faithful even when it feels like there’s nothing left for you to do. Hope arises for Ruth and Naomi just when it seems least likely – and often arises for us from unexpected people and in unexpected moments.