We know that many Saints are remembered because of their piety, virtue, and devotions they practiced. It is not the same for Saint Jerome. Saint Jerome whose memorial we celebrate today, is known to have had a very bad temper. He could turn that temper into a vitriolic pen. He could write strong criticism to those who taught or advocated erroneous teachings. This is because he loved Jesus Christ. For him, those who were erroneous were enemies of truth and God.
Saint Jerome Made Scripture Accessible
Saint Jerome was a scholar of scripture. He translated the Old Testament from Hebrew and Aramaic texts to Latin (Vulgate). He wrote Scripture commentaries which are still being used today. He is reported to have said, “ignorance of scripture is ignorance of God.” Usually, Scripture has a lot to teach us. See how beautiful the Psalms are. They are prayers and consolations. The Psalm of today is a very beautiful prayer, “Let my prayer come before you, Lord.” It says, “daily I call upon you, to you I stretch out my hands...I cry out to you, with morning prayer I wait upon you!” It is a very strong prayer before God. This is what we seek to be listened by God and in search we always call upon him consistently.
In the first reading, Job is acknowledging the mighty power of God. Job is responding to Baldad the Suhite in the previous chapter. Job, like the psalmist, is surrendering everything to God amidst the struggle he is going through. He affirms, God is wise and mighty in strength. Usually, in difficult situations in life, we turn into doubt and those are the occasions the devils tap us to drift off from God. Sometimes life calls us to surrender to God. Some crosses may not be taken away from us but could be a means for our salvation.
Jerome used his temper to defend truth and scripture, but he became aware of his weakness and practiced rigorous penances. He was swift to anger, but he was also swift to remorse. One pope remarked after seeing a picture of Jerome striking his breast with a stone, “You do well to carry that stone, for without it the church would never have canonized you.” (Franciscan Media) We know at the end we need the mercy of God but like Job and Jerome, it comes with acknowledging our weaknesses and then believing in the power of God that no matter what is happening he still possesses the mighty power.
Strength Comes from God
If God does not change our situations, he will give us strength to endure. It becomes his Cross with us. Jesus said, “Take my yoke for is easy and light.” As we hear from the Gospel not only our weaknesses that can stop us from becoming true followers of Christ but also our attachments to many things including even those given to us by God. Jesus calls for a radical reformation and one direction in following him. He is not despising practice of charity like burying the dead, or bidding farewell but is looking strongly at intention in the heart. Probably, we may ask ourselves, what am I still holding that makes my Christian life hard to be authentic? Am I carrying an unforgiving heart against my family members or spouse or my children or my parents? Do I find myself blaming others so much for my failure of faith or Am I stuck into past experiences that keep haunting that I cannot trust God fully?
Saint Jerome has taught us to be friends with the scripture and always turn to God with remorse due to our weaknesses. The psalmist and Job teach to surrender all to God in prayer and trusting him. We have to let go what holds us back from embracing Jesus. May God grant us grace to surrender everything, to be faithful followers, and become friend with His word.
St. Jerome, pray for us
