In the last lines of the Gospel we find the message of today's readings, the humble and the lowly will be exalted. We cannot help but be reminded to the words of Mary's Magnificat, "He has lifted up the lowly", a song of praise to God's faithfulness towards the lowly and the poor.

How does Ruth come into this? She was a widow. After the death of her husband she could have returned to her own country and re-married. Yet, she chose to remain with her mother-in-law whom we can presume needed her. Ruth chose the work of an ordinary servant to care for the older woman. God, not to be outdone in generosity and faithfulness rewarded her. Ruth did marry a man named Boaz in the country of her mother-in-law, and eventually her children became the ancestors of King David and Jesus Himself.

God loves in a special way those who humbly give themselves for others as did Ruth. True humility means being at the service of others, ready to sacrifice oneself.