Ruth – The Loyal Witness

Welcome back, truth-seekers, to another heartwarmingepisode of the “Witness Series.” I’m your host, Fr. Veigas Dominic SVD, andtoday, we’re exploring a beautiful and profound story from the Old Testament,featuring a woman whose steadfast devotion and remarkable faithfulness shonebrightly in challenging times.

In this sixth episode of Season 7, we turn ourattention to Ruth, “The Loyal Witness.” Amidst loss and uncertainty, God usedRuth’s unwavering commitment to her family and the God of Israel to demonstratesteadfast covenant faithfulness, ultimately placing her in the lineage of theMessiah. Her story is a timeless testament to the power of loyalty, love, andtrusting in God’s providence even as an outsider.

Ruth’s life resonates with us today because it speaksto the transformative power of choosing faithfulness, even when it meansleaving behind the familiar and stepping into the unknown. Her witness remindsus that God honors sincere devotion and can weave even the most unlikely livesinto His grand redemptive plan.

Today, we’ll unpack Ruth’s life, her powerful messageas a loyal witness, and how her example can inspire our commitment to God andto one another. Let’s get started.

Who was Ruth?

Imagine a family from Bethlehem – Elimelech, his wifeNaomi, and their two sons – who leave their homeland due to a famine and settlein Moab, a foreign land. There, the sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth.Tragically, within ten years, Elimelech and both sons die, leaving Naomi,Orpah, and Ruth as widows, devoid of male protectors and providers.

With nothing left in Moab, Naomi decides to return toher homeland, the land of Judah. She urged her two daughters-in-law to stay inMoab, to return to their own families. Orpah, though sad, eventually chose togo back to her people and her gods. But Ruth, a Moabite herself, made adifferent choice – a choice that would echo through history.

Esther – The Courageous IntercessorWitness

Welcome back, truth-seekers, to another captivatingepisode of the “Witness Series,” part of “2 Minutes with the Lord” on Spotify!I’m your host, Fr. Veigas Dominic SVD, and today, we’re diving into anextraordinary story from the Old Testament, featuring a young woman who rosefrom obscurity to royalty, and then risked everything to save her people.

In this fifth episode of Season 7, we focus on Esther,“The Courageous Intercessor Witness.” In a moment of existential crisis for herpeople, God strategically placed Esther in a position of influence, empoweringher to intercede and act with incredible bravery. Her story is a powerfulreminder that God orchestrates circumstances and equips ordinary people forextraordinary purposes.

Esther’s life resonates with us today because itspeaks to the moments when we are called to step out in faith, even when fearis present. Her witness reminds us that God often uses our unique gifts andpositions for His divine plan, especially when it involves defending thevulnerable and speaking truth to power.

Today, we’ll unpack Esther’s life, her powerfulmessage as a courageous intercessor, and how her example can inspire our actsof faith and advocacy. Let’s get started.

Who was Esther?

A young Jewish orphan girl named Hadassah, living inexile in Susa, the capital of the vast Persian Empire. She was raised by herolder cousin Mordecai. Through a remarkable turn of events – including QueenVashti’s dismissal and a kingdom-wide search for a new queen – Hadassah, nowknown by her Persian name, Esther, found herself chosen to be Queen to KingXerxes.

The book of Esther, chapter 2, describesher ascent to the throne, saying in verse 17: “The king loved Esther more thanall the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more thanall the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queeninstead of Vashti.”

But her new royal position came with an unimaginablechallenge. A wicked and ambitious official named Haman concocted a plan toannihilate all the Jews throughout the Persian Empire, manipulating King Xerxesinto issuing an irreversible decree. Mordecai, upon learning of this decree,urged Esther to intercede with the King.

Welcome back, truth-seekers, to another deeply movingepisode of the “Witness Series.” I’m your host, Fr. Veigas Dominic SVD, andtoday, we’re exploring a poignant story from the Old Testament, featuring awoman whose profound anguish led to fervent prayer, demonstrating theincredible power of a surrendered heart.

In this fourth episode of Season 7, we turn ourattention to Hannah, “The Praying Witness.” In a time of personal heartache andsocietal challenges, God used Hannah’s persistent and heartfelt prayers tobring forth an influential leader for Israel, demonstrating that true spiritualstrength often begins on our knees. Her story is a timeless reminder that ourstruggles can become the fertile ground for God’s most significant work when weturn to Him in prayer.

Hannah’s life resonates with us today because we allface moments of deep pain, disappointment, or longing. Her witness reminds usthat even in our most profound anguish, God hears our cries, and Histransformative power is unleashed through sincere, believing prayer.

Today, we’ll unpack Hannah’s life, her powerfulmessage as a praying witness, and how her example can inspire our own prayerlives. Let’s get started.

Who was Hannah?

She was one of two wives to Elkanah, a man who lovedher deeply. But Hannah lived with a persistent and painful burden: she wasunable to have children, while Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, had many. Inthat culture, barrenness was not just a personal sorrow, but often a source ofshame and scorn. Peninnah, unfortunately, used Hannah’s vulnerability totorment her year after year, especially during their annual pilgrimage toShiloh to worship the Lord.