Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/249

 in her  bosom; and  she  carried  it  and  was  a nurse  to  it. Now Obed was  the  father  of  Isai,  whose  son  was  David,  of  whose  race Christ was  born.

Divine Providence.  Was  it  by  chance  that  Ruth  went  to  the  field of Booz? No, she  went  there  by  the  guidance  of  a good  and  wise Providence. God ordained  that  Booz  should  get  to  know  the  virtuous Ruth, and  should,  though  she  was  poor,  take  her  as  his  wife. This was so  ordained  in  order  that  Ruth  and  Noemi  should  be  rewarded for their  virtues. Noemi was  now  above  want,  and  could  serve  God without anxiety  about  her  maintenance. Nothing happens  by  chance.

Several beautiful  examples  of  virtue are  put  before  us  in  this  story.

Noemi left  her  home  only  from  necessity,  and  kept  her  faith untarnished in  the  midst  of  a heathen  society;  and  as  soon  as  the famine was  over,  she  returned  to  her  own  country  and  fellow-believers. She unselfishly  allowed  her  daughters  in-law  to  remain  in  Moab,  and asked God  to  bless  them: she  did  not  wish  them  to  share  her  poverty or help  to  support  her. There is  one  point  to  which  I wish  to  draw your attention,  as  it  might  not  strike  you  of  yourselves. By her  living faith, her  real  piety  and  sincere  love,  in  a word,  by  her  good  example, Noemi converted  her  daughter-in-law  Ruth  to  the  true  faith,  so  that  the latter was  able  to  say:  “Thy  God  is  my  God.”  Oh,  if  only  all  Catholics would act  as  she  did; if  they  would  only  act  up  to  their  holy  faith  and practise the  virtues  which  it  teaches,  then  the  whole  world  would  be convinced  of  the  truth  and  excellence  of  the  Catholic  faith! Our Divine Lord said:  “Let  your  light  shine  before  men  that  they  may  see  your good works,  and  glorify  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven.”

Ruth left  her  home  and  friends  both  out  of  attachment  to  her mother-in-law and  fidelity  to  her  faith. Once she  had  got  to  know  the true God,  she  wished  to  dwell  with  the  people  of  God;  and  so  firm was she  in  her  resolution  that  neither  the  persuasions  of  Noemi  nor  the example of  Orpha  could  move  her  from  it. She was,  therefore,  steadfast in faith,  and  gave  up  everything  rather  than  live  with  unbelievers,  and place her  soul  in  danger. She was,  furthermore,  distinguished  for  her humility, obedience,  and  diligence. She asked  Noemi’s  permission  to glean;  she  was  not  ashamed  of  her  poverty;  she  was  indefatigable  in her  labour  of  gleaning,  and  saved  some  of  her  dinner  for  Noemi:  thus she perfectly  fulfilled  the  Fourth  Commandment. Would that  all  children had as  great  a love  for  their  own  parents  as  Ruth  had  for  her  mother-in-law ! You see  how  Holy  Scripture  praises  Ruth’s  diligence. Diligence is a virtue  and  does  honour  to  those  who  practise  it. Sloth is  a vice