Boaz was a redeemer. He redeemed Ruth from a present with only poverty and a future with only destitution and loneliness. "Boaz took Ruth" (Ru 4:13), entered into a contract to personally pay the price of her "redemption" (Ru 4:7), and brought her into "a future full of hope" (Jer 29:11). Finally, Boaz didn't simply redeem Ruth and then walk away from her. In redeeming Ruth, Boaz raised her to an intimate relationship with himself (Ru 4:13) and gave her a royal heritage (Ru 4:22; Mt 1:5). Jesus is our Redeemer. He "sacrificed Himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness and to cleanse for Himself a people of His own" (Ti 2:14). Like Boaz, Jesus personally paid the price to redeem us (1 Cor 6:20) and offers us an eternal future and royal heritage with Him (see 2 Pt 1:4). In redeeming us, He didn't walk away from us, but instead has raised us to offer us such a level of intimacy with Him that we might live in Him and He in us (Jn 6:56; 17:23). Boaz the redeemer asked Ruth to stay with him (Ru 2:8). Ruth could have turned him down and headed elsewhere. But she abandoned herself into his care. Jesus our Redeemer likewise asks us to stay with Him (see Mt 26:38), and let Him be our Head (Eph 1:22). Be like Ruth. Stay with your Redeemer. Abandon your life into the hands of Jesus.One Bread, One Body
<< Saturday, August 25, 2007 >>
St. Louis
St. Joseph Calasanz
Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17
Psalm 128
Matthew 23:1-12
View Readings
REDEEMING QUALITIES
O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
| This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited. |
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 4 |
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| Thanksgiving |
| Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer. |
| When I called out, he heard me, the God of my righteousness. When I was in trouble, you gave me freedom: now, take pity on me and listen to my prayer. Sons of men, how long will your hearts be heavy? Why do you seek for vain things? Why do you run after illusions? Know that the Lord has done marvellous things for those he has chosen. When I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. Be vigorous, but do not sin: speak in the silence of your heart, in your bed, be at rest. Offer righteousness as a sacrifice, and put your trust in the Lord. Many are saying, Who will give us good things? Let your face shine on us, Lord, let the light of your face be a sign. You have given me a greater joy than the others receive from abundance of wheat and of wine. In peace shall I sleep, Lord, in peace shall I rest: firm in the hope you have given me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer. |
| Psalm 133 (134) |
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| Evening prayer in the Temple |
| Bless the Lord through the night. |
| Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand through the night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your arms to the sanctuary and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Sion – the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Bless the Lord through the night. |
| Reading | Deuteronomy 6:4-7 © |
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| Listen, Israel: the Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart. You shall repeat them to your children and say them over to them whether at rest in your house or walking abroad, at your lying down or at your rising. | |
| Short Responsory | ? |
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| Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. |
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| Canticle | Nunc Dimittis |
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| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. | |
| Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. | |
| Prayer | |
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| Let us pray. Come to us, Lord, this night, and give us the strength to rise at dawn rejoicing in the resurrection of your Anointed, who lives and reigns for ever and ever, Amen. |
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| May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. |
| A M E N |