Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, in today’s liturgy we are given the wonderful opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of Saint Jerome, a towering figure in the early Church, renowned as both a priest and a Doctor of the Church. He is best known for his tireless work in translating the Bible into Latin, which became known as the Vulgate. Jerome’s contributions have shaped our understanding of Scripture for centuries, making the Holy Word accessible to countless faithful souls.
As we contemplate the readings from the Book of Job and the Gospel of Luke, we find profound connections to the life of Saint Jerome and lessons for our own spiritual journeys.
In the reading from Job, we witness a powerful narrative of suffering, faith, and unwavering devotion. Job is described as “blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.” Yet, despite his righteousness, he encounters unimaginable loss and tragedy. In the face of such overwhelming grief—losing his wealth and family—we see Job’s remarkable response: “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” Job did not curse God; instead, he acknowledged the sovereignty of God over all things and submitted to his will, which is all-good, and all-knowing.
Saint Jerome’s life parallels Job’s in many ways. Born at the end of the fourth century, Jerome faced trials in his own life—trials that included the challenges of a rigorous intellectual pursuit amidst a culture of rampant paganism. He was known for his fierce temper and strong opinions, often engaging in heated disputes with others. Yet, like Job, he remained steadfast in his love for God and committed to his faith. When attacked by critics, Jerome would often invoke his spiritual convictions—not to retaliate, but to strengthen his resolve in translating and interpreting the Scriptures.
Both Job and Jerome remind us of the importance of humility and perseverance in the face of adversity, and also the need for the Holy Spirit in motivating our hearts and minds to seek the truth and fight for its honour, given it comes from and belongs to God who is himself truth everlasting.
In the Gospel of Luke, we hear about the disciples arguing over who among them is the greatest, a natural human inclination to seek status and recognition. Jesus, in his wisdom, places a child among them and teaches that “the least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” This is a radical redefinition of greatness, one that emphasizes humility, simplicity, and the open-heartedness of a child. It seems that children are less attached to material things, in that they are always seeking to discover new things. Their zest and zeal for life is unquenchable, and yet they know they depend entirely on their parents for their sustenance. A spirit of gratitude is formed, and collaboration. So too, it is with us and God. We need to remember our dependence on him for greatness which is detached from God, is anything but greatness. Both Job and Jerome learned this lesson well and lived it.
Jerome, despite his academic prowess and fiery spirit, understood that true wisdom does not come from earthly accolades but from a life of service and dedication to God’s Word. His commitment to Scripture was a reflection of his humility before God and his desire to know him. He often stated, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Let us therefore commit to delving deeper into the Word of God, through things like bible studies, lectio divinas, and a greater preparation for Holy Mass by going over the readings. This is what this website aims to helping you out to do by giving you an
accompanying reflection each day on the word of God which will be proclaimed at that day’s Mass, but it’s up to us how much we are ready to invest our time in this. Just know that the benefits you will reap are beyond what the human language can adequately express. Our Lady, Queen most Obedient to the Word of God, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
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