One of life’s most essential lessons is that we are never meant to go it alone. Yet, in a world that often isolates us, the story of Ruth reminds us of the power of commitment and community. When Ruth’s husband passed away, she didn’t follow the cultural norms of her time by returning to her family of origin. Instead, she chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Together, they formed a new family and embarked on a journey to Bethlehem, just as Mary and Joseph would centuries later.
These stories of unlikely partnerships show us that when God brings people together, something beautiful happens. Just as God shaped Ruth and Naomi, and Mary and Joseph, into covenant families, God is forming us into a covenant community right here and now. So, as we gather to worship, let’s celebrate the ways God connects us and calls us to journey together.