Ruth and Naomi

*** Narrative Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Ruth 1:1-17 CLASSIC POEM: Ruth and Naomi Frances Ellen Watkins Harper “Turn my daughters, full of wo, Is my heart so sad and lone? Leave me children — I would go To my loved and distant home. “From my bosom death has torn Husband, children, all my stay, Left me not a single one, For my life’s declining day “Want and wo surround my way, Grief and famine where I tread; In my native land they say God is giving Jacob bread. “ Naomi ceased, her daughters wept, Their yearning hearts were filled; Falling upon her withered neck, Their grief in tears distill’d. Like rain upon a blighted tree, The tears of Orpah fell Kissing the pale and quivering lip, She breathed her sad farewell. But Ruth stood up, on her brow There lay a heavenly calm; And from her lips came, soft and low Words like a holy charm. “I will not leave thee, on thy brow Are lines of sorrow, age and care; They form is bent, thy step is slow, They bosom stricken, lone and sear. “Oh! when thy heart and home were glad, I freely shared thy joyous lot; And now that heart is lone and sad, Cease to entreat — I’ll leave thee not. “Oh! if a lofty palace proud Thy future home shall be; Where sycophants around thee crowd, I’ll share that home with thee. “And if on earth the humblest spot, Thy future home shall prove; I’ll bring into thy lonely lot The wealth of woman’s love. “Go where thou wilt, my steps are there, Our path in life is one; Thou hast no lot I will not share, ‘Till life itself be done. “My country and my home for thee, I freely, willingly resign, Thy people shall my people be, Thy God he shall be mine. “Then, mother dear, entreat me not To turn from following thee; My heart is nerved to share thy lot, Whatever that may be. “ *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: The Awakening Erika Dreifus SNIPPET: Yes, daughter, go, said Naomi, and so off Ruth went, out from Bethlehem, to the fields of barley, the fields of Boaz. All that long day Naomi waited, weak with hunger and worry. … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]