The Foreigner

In today's first reading (click here for a reflection on today's Gospel) we hear the rest of the familiar story of Ruth: the account of how a woman from an alien land became the great-grandmother of one of the greatest figures in the history of Israel - King David.

Key to the sequence of events is this exchange between Ruth and her future husband:

Casting herself prostrate upon the ground, she said to him, "Why should I, a foreigner, be favored with your notice?"

Boaz answered her: "I have had a complete account of what you have done for your mother-in-law after your husband's death....

Although Ruth was doubtlessly attractive, there were certainly many other attractive girls in the area who were significantly younger and true Israelites.

Boaz looked beyond Ruth's background and based his opinion of her on her virtues, her faithfulness, and the way she lived her life.

Do we do the same?