death in the family
"Both Mahlon and Chilion died also, and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband." —Ruth 1:5
All the men in Naomi's family died, her husband and two married sons. Under these circumstances, many would despair and their lives would fall apart. But, by God's power, death in the family can become life-giving and lift it to new heights of love and grace.
For example, Ruth could rise above her grief at her husband's death to exhibit a faithfulness to her mother-in-law, a prophetic example of our heavenly Father's faithfulness. When Ruth left her homeland with her mother-in-law, she committed social suicide. According to the customs of the time, she threw away her future and condemned herself to abject poverty. However, by a miraculous turn of events, Ruth married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of King David (Ru 4:17).
A mourning and bereft family was used mightily in God's salvation plan. A widow traumatized by the deaths of husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law gave life and prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah. God turns all things, even death, to the good for those who love Him (Rm 8:28).
Prayer: Father, thank You for Brother Death through which life enters the world. Console and heal the grieving. We trust You.
Promise: " 'You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment." —Mt 22:37-38
Praise: St. John Eudes cared for those who were physically sick by tending to their needs and cared for those who were spiritually sick by preaching God's word to them.
Reference: (Learn to love God more by reading the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these tapes: Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2005
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