Ruth 3:9 “He said, 'Who are you?' And she answered, 'I am Ruth, your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, for you are next-of-kin.’”

What a tender vision I saw when I read this.

Ruth came to Bethlehem as a widow with her mother-in-law Naomi.  They did not have much more than the clothes on their backs.  Ruth had been gleaning grain from fields to feed herself and Naomi and now, through the instruction of her mother-in-law, she sat at the feet of Boaz.

Mosaic covenant stipulated that the Hebrew community of faith would take care of the disadvantaged.  They were called to care for the poor, the widows, the orphans.  That call was passed on to us through Jesus.

We are still in the midst of summer and it is hard to imagine someone needing a cloak, or a coat.  The weather can turn quick in Colorado though.  It won’t be long before frost covers the grass and we will see our breath in the air.

Who is our next-of-kin?  Who sits at our feet waiting to see if we will spread our cloak over them in an act of love and protection?  We are all brothers and sisters through Jesus, our Lord.

Lord,

Give us hearts of compassion and the means to share with others what blessings you have poured out on us.  You know what our brothers and sisters need most.  Use us to provide for those needs.  Help us spread your love throughout the world as we spread love to those around us.  Amen.