A young widow in a foreign land, picking up the grain left over by the reapers: this picture of Ruth has inspired many writers and artists with its great sense of poignancy. In the life of any exile there is bound to be a certain poignancy, a certain loneliness and sense of loss. Yet the story of Ruth is much more than a tale of a poignant young woman. It is a story of faith and fidelity, of courage and concern, of sacrifice and reward, of new life giving new hope where death seemed to reign over all.

How well this young woman experienced the truth taught by Jesus centuries after her time: "Whoever humbles himself will be exalted!" Motivated by an admirable human love, she was prepared, as Boaz himself recognizes, to leave father, mother and homeland, to accompany Naomi, her mother-in-law, home. She left all to be of loving service to an older woman who needed her. Great love is surely humble, and Ruth's love was undeniably great. She was exalted as an ancestor of Jesus, her name recorded by Matthew. Her story is a challenge to all of us who seek to live lives motivated by divine love.