The Memorial of St Jerome

Job 38:1.12-21.40:3-5, Lk. 10:13-16. When human knowledge is compared to that of the Divine, we would understand that mortals have a lot to learn. In today's first reading, God challenged Job who tried to figure out why terrible tragedies befell him. Instead of trying to logically explain why the terrible events had happened to him, God presented to Job a series of questions. The Lord asked Job if he understood all that He knew and have done. God wanted Job to realise that the Divine plans are beyond human understanding. There is no way that mortals can fully comprehend how God acts. At the end, Job admitted that he should not have asked God to explain why a respected man like him should go through such tragedies. Tragedies like this, pride, indifference, trails and materialistic tendencies could also prevents us from recognising the wonders of God's love for us, if we are not deeply rooted in God.

The case of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernauem, the scenes of the ministry of Jesus Christ was that of pride and materialistic tendencies. Despite being the greatest beneficiaries of His work, the hearts of their citizens remained cold and unresponsive. They failed to respond because they had lost the sense of the Divine presence and marvel; they lost the freshness of sight due to their pride and materialistic tendencies resulting to indifference and prejudice. St Jerome whose memorial we celebrate recognised the Divine power and love at work and dedicated his time and intellect in the translation of the Bible from its Greek Septuagint and Hebrew origins to the Latin Vulgate version. Jerome was born in Strido, in Dalmatia in 340. He studied in Rome and was baptized there. He was attracted by the ascetic life and travelled to the East, where he was Ordained a Priest. He was recalled to Rome to act as secretary to Pope Damasus, but on the Pope’s death he returned to the East, to Bethlehem, where he founded a monastery, a hospice and a school. He wrote many works, including letters and Biblical commentaries. When a time of troubles came upon the world, through barbarian invasions and to the Church, through internal dissension, he helped the refugees and those in need. He died at Bethlehem in 420.

May the Lord help us to see His hand at work in our lives, so that we may live in newness of life! Amen!! Good morning and have a terrific day!!!