Ryan Ahlgrim, pastor of First Mennonite Church of Richmond, Virginia, begins this week’s sermon by saying, “When it comes to immigration, our country and many other countries wrestle with the question of who can be included and who should be excluded.” He continues, “That question is at the center of the book of Ruth.” In Ruth 3:1-5 and 4:13-17, Ruth, a Moabite woman, returns to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth marries Boaz. However, she, nor her descendants, according to Israelite law, are to become Israelites. Yet, Ruth is the great-grandmother of King David, the most famous king of Israel. How is this possible? “It is because of Ruth’s loyalty, her faithful love…It is love that determines who’s included.”
Note: this sermon was originally released as B50: The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B (2021)