Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the
Church
Lectionary: 455
Lectionary: 455
This word of the LORD of hosts came:
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
I am intensely jealous for Zion,
stirred to jealous wrath for her.
Thus says the LORD:
I will return to Zion,
and I will dwell within Jerusalem;
Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city,
and the mountain of the LORD of hosts,
the holy mountain.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women,
each with staff in hand because of old age,
shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem.
The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Even if this should seem impossible
in the eyes of the remnant of this people,
shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also,
says the LORD of hosts?
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun,
and from the land of the setting sun.
I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem.
They shall be my people, and I will be their God,
with faithfulness and justice.
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
I am intensely jealous for Zion,
stirred to jealous wrath for her.
Thus says the LORD:
I will return to Zion,
and I will dwell within Jerusalem;
Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city,
and the mountain of the LORD of hosts,
the holy mountain.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women,
each with staff in hand because of old age,
shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem.
The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Even if this should seem impossible
in the eyes of the remnant of this people,
shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also,
says the LORD of hosts?
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun,
and from the land of the setting sun.
I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem.
They shall be my people, and I will be their God,
with faithfulness and justice.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 102:16-18, 19-21, 29
AND 22-23
R. (17) The
Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
"The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die."
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The children of your servants shall abide,
and their posterity shall continue in your presence.
That the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion;
and his praise, in Jerusalem,
When the peoples gather together,
and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
"The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die."
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The children of your servants shall abide,
and their posterity shall continue in your presence.
That the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion;
and his praise, in Jerusalem,
When the peoples gather together,
and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
AlleluiaMK 10:45
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 9:46-50
An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest."
Then John said in reply,
"Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company."
Jesus said to him,
"Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest."
Then John said in reply,
"Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company."
Jesus said to him,
"Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint Jerome, please go here.
Meditation: "Jesus
perceived the thought of their hearts"
Are
you surprised to see the disciples of Jesus arguing about who is the greatest
among them? Don't we do the same thing? The appetite for glory and greatness
seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be
"somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"?
Even the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. "You
have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and
honor" (Psalm 8:5). Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a
child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the
kingdom of God.
What
can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient
world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially
at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much
like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of
Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples
by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is
customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the
host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of
heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of
pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or
child.
Jesus,
himself, is our model. He came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew
20:28). Paul the Apostles states that Jesus "emptied himself and took
the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). Jesus lowered himself
(he whose place is at the right hand of God the Father) and took on our lowly
nature that he might raise us up and clothe us in his divine nature. "God
opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). If
we want to be filled with God's life and power, then we need to empty ourselves
of everything which stands in the way - pride, envy, self-seeking glory,
vanity, and possessiveness. God wants empty vessels so he can fill them with
his own glory, power, and love (2 Corinthians 4:7). Are you ready to humble
yourself and to serve as Jesus did?
"Lord
Jesus, your grace knows no bounds. You give freely to the humble of heart and
you grant us freedom to love and serve others selflessly. May my love for you
express itself in an eagerness to do good for others."
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, LUKE 9:46-50
(Zechariah 8:1-8; Psalm 102)
KEY VERSE: "For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest" (v. 48).
TO KNOW: Jesus had been teaching his disciples about his role as the suffering servant of God, yet they failed to comprehend his words (Lk 9:43-45). A discussion arose among the disciples about which one of them was the greatest. Appraising their grandiose ambitions, Jesus placed a little child by his side as an example of what discipleship meant. The disciple must be as innocent and trusting as a child, and be willing to serve the poor and lowly of the community. Seemingly without hearing Jesus' words, John became indignant when he heard that an outsider had been casting out demons in Jesus' name. Jesus said that such closed-mindedness was in opposition to the Gospel that he taught them. He told them: "Whoever is not against you is for you" (v. 50).
TO LOVE: Are my ambitions to serve the Lord or to serve my own ego?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to recognize you in the poor and suffering whom I meet.
(Zechariah 8:1-8; Psalm 102)
KEY VERSE: "For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest" (v. 48).
TO KNOW: Jesus had been teaching his disciples about his role as the suffering servant of God, yet they failed to comprehend his words (Lk 9:43-45). A discussion arose among the disciples about which one of them was the greatest. Appraising their grandiose ambitions, Jesus placed a little child by his side as an example of what discipleship meant. The disciple must be as innocent and trusting as a child, and be willing to serve the poor and lowly of the community. Seemingly without hearing Jesus' words, John became indignant when he heard that an outsider had been casting out demons in Jesus' name. Jesus said that such closed-mindedness was in opposition to the Gospel that he taught them. He told them: "Whoever is not against you is for you" (v. 50).
TO LOVE: Are my ambitions to serve the Lord or to serve my own ego?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to recognize you in the poor and suffering whom I meet.
Memorial of Saint Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church
Born to a rich pagan family, Jerome squandered his youth. After his conversion, he was baptized in 365 and began his study of theology. He lived for years as a hermit in the Syrian deserts. Ordained a priest, he was a student of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, and secretary to Pope Damasus who commissioned him to revise the Latin text of the Bible, translating most of the Old Testament from the Hebrew. The result of his 30 years of work was the Vulgate translation, which was in common use until the Vatican II Council. He also wrote scriptural commentaries, which are a great source of inspiration for us today. He was an avid student, a thorough scholar, a prodigious letter-writer and a consultant to monk, bishop and pope. Saint Augustine said of him, "What Jerome is ignorant of, no mortal has ever known." Jerome was a friend and teacher of Saint Paula, Saint Marcella, and Saint Eustochium. He lived his last 34 years in the Holy Land as a semi-recluse.
Born to a rich pagan family, Jerome squandered his youth. After his conversion, he was baptized in 365 and began his study of theology. He lived for years as a hermit in the Syrian deserts. Ordained a priest, he was a student of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, and secretary to Pope Damasus who commissioned him to revise the Latin text of the Bible, translating most of the Old Testament from the Hebrew. The result of his 30 years of work was the Vulgate translation, which was in common use until the Vatican II Council. He also wrote scriptural commentaries, which are a great source of inspiration for us today. He was an avid student, a thorough scholar, a prodigious letter-writer and a consultant to monk, bishop and pope. Saint Augustine said of him, "What Jerome is ignorant of, no mortal has ever known." Jerome was a friend and teacher of Saint Paula, Saint Marcella, and Saint Eustochium. He lived his last 34 years in the Holy Land as a semi-recluse.
Monday 30 September 2019
St Jerome
Zechariah 8:1-8. Psalm 101(102):16-21, 29, 22-23. Luke 9:46-50.
The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory – Psalm 101(102):16-21, 29, 22-23
‘I will be their God in faithfulness and integrity’
Zechariah 8:1-8. Psalm 101(102):16-21, 29, 22-23. Luke 9:46-50.
The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory – Psalm 101(102):16-21, 29, 22-23
‘I will be their God in faithfulness and integrity’
Today we remember St Jerome, scripture scholar, educator and
writer, who translated the Bible into Latin. Recently, a child preparing to
celebrate her First Communion and Confirmation wrote this prayer: ‘Dear God,
full of faith. Thank you for helping me through the tough times. Amen.’ This
lovely prayer of trust, gratitude and belief mirrors the assurance we are given
at the end of the reading from Zechariah today: ‘They shall be my people and I
will be their God in faithfulness and integrity.’
This child knows God is faithful. Hence the simple statement of
ongoing trust that God helps her through the tough times. Jesus’ disciples
argue about who is closest to him, yet we are all close to God, even those not
of the Christian family who also live with integrity. Come Holy Spirit, renew
the hearts of your people, and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Saint Jerome
Saint of the Day for September 30
(345 – 420)
Saint Jerome’s Story
Most of the saints are remembered for some outstanding virtue or
devotion which they practiced, but Jerome is frequently remembered for his bad
temper! It is true that he had a very bad temper and could use a vitriolic pen,
but his love for God and his son Jesus Christ was extraordinarily intense;
anyone who taught error was an enemy of God and truth,
and Saint Jerome went after him or her with his mighty and sometimes
sarcastic pen.
He was above all a Scripture scholar, translating most of the
Old Testament from the Hebrew. Jerome also wrote commentaries which are a great
source of scriptural inspiration for us today. He was an avid student, a
thorough scholar, a prodigious letter-writer and a consultant to monk, bishop,
and pope. Saint Augustine said of him, “What Jerome is ignorant of, no
mortal has ever known.”
Saint Jerome is particularly important for having made a
translation of the Bible which came to be called the Vulgate. It is not the most
critical edition of the Bible, but its acceptance by the Church was fortunate.
As a modern scholar says, “No man before Jerome or among his contemporaries and
very few men for many centuries afterwards were so well qualified to do the
work.” The Council of Trent called for a new and corrected edition of the
Vulgate, and declared it the authentic text to be used in the Church.
In order to be able to do such work, Jerome prepared himself
well. He was a master of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Chaldaic. He began his
studies at his birthplace, Stridon in Dalmatia. After his preliminary
education, he went to Rome, the center of learning at that time, and thence to
Trier, Germany, where the scholar was very much in evidence. He spent several
years in each place, always trying to find the very best teachers. He once
served as private secretary to Pope Damasus.
After these preparatory studies, he traveled extensively in
Palestine, marking each spot of Christ’s life with an outpouring of devotion.
Mystic that he was, he spent five years in the desert of Chalcis so that he
might give himself up to prayer, penance, and study. Finally, he settled in
Bethlehem, where he lived in the cave believed to have been the birthplace of
Christ. Jerome died in Bethlehem, and the remains of his body now lie buried in
the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
Reflection
Jerome was a strong, outspoken man. He had the virtues and the
unpleasant fruits of being a fearless critic and all the usual moral problems
of a man. He was, as someone has said, no admirer of moderation whether in
virtue or against evil. He was swift to anger, but also swift to feel remorse,
even more severe on his own shortcomings than on those of others. A pope is
said to have remarked, on 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” (Butler’s Lives of the Saints).
Saint Jerome is the patron Saint of:
Librarians
Translators
Scholars
Translators
Scholars
Lectio Divina: Luke 9:46-50
Lectio Divina
Monday, September 30, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
You show Your almighty power
in Your mercy and forgiveness.
Continue to fill us with Your gifts of love.
Help us to hurry towards the eternal life You promise
and come to share in the joys of Your kingdom.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
You show Your almighty power
in Your mercy and forgiveness.
Continue to fill us with Your gifts of love.
Help us to hurry towards the eternal life You promise
and come to share in the joys of Your kingdom.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 9:46-50
An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was
the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and
placed it by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my
name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the
one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest." Then
John said in reply, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your
name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our
company." Jesus said to him, "Do not prevent him, for whoever is not
against you is for you."
3) Reflection
• The text enlightens us. If Luke had previously presented the
convergence of the men around Jesus to recognize Him in faith, to pay attention
to Him and to be present to His cures, now a new stage is opened in His public
itinerary. The person of Jesus does not monopolize the attention of the crowds
any more, but He is presented as the one who is slowly being drawn away
from His own to go toward the Father. Such an itinerary foresees His journey to
Jerusalem. And while He is about to undertake that journey, Jesus reveals to
them the destiny that is awaiting Him (9:22). He is then transfigured before
them to indicate the starting point of His “exodus” toward Jerusalem.
Immediately after the light that He experiences in the transfiguration, Jesus
once again announces His Passion, leaving the disciples uncertain and
disturbed. Jesus’ words on the event of His Passion, “The Son of Man is
going to be delivered into the power of men” (Lk 9:45), they did not understand
and they were afraid to ask Him.
• Jesus takes a child. The enigma of Jesus being delivered caused a great dispute among the disciples, as they wondered to whom the first place would belong. Without being asked His opinion, Jesus, who, being God, knew how to read hearts, intervenes with a symbolic gesture. To begin, He takes a child and places him at His side. Such a gesture is an indication of election, of privilege, that is extended at the moment that one becomes a Christian (Lk 10:21-22). So that this gesture will be understood, and not baffling, Jesus gives a word of explanation: the “greatness” of the child is not stressed but is an inclination to “acceptance”. The Lord considers “great” anyone who, like a child, knows how to accept God and His messengers. Salvation presents two aspects: the election on the part of God, which is symbolized by Jesus’ gesture, who accepts the child, and the acceptance of the one who has sent Him, the Father of Jesus (who is the Son) and of every person. The child embodies Jesus, and both, in their smallness and suffering, realize God’s presence (Bovon). The two aspects of salvation are also indicative of faith: in the gift of election the passive element emerges; in service, the active one emerges; two pillars of Christian existence. To accept God or Christ in faith has the consequence of total acceptance of the little ones on the part of the believer or of the community. “To be great,” which the disciples were talking about, is not a reality of something beyond, but it refers to the present moment and is expressed in the “diaconia” of service. Lived love and faith fulfill two functions: we are accepted by Christ (takes the child); but also we have the particular gift of receiving Him (“anyone who accepts the child, accepts Him, the Father”, v. 48). A brief dialogue follows between Jesus and John (vv. 49-50). This last disciple is considered among Jesus’ intimates. The exorcist, who does not belong to those who are intimate with Jesus, is entrusted the same role that is given to the disciples. He is an exorcist who, on the one side is external to the group, but on the other, is inside the group because he has understood the Christological origin of divine force that guides him (“in Your name”). Jesus’ teaching is clear: a Christian group should not place obstacles to the missionary activity of other groups which are true to the teachings of Jesus. There are no Christians who are “greater” than others, but one is “great” in being and in becoming Christian. Then missionary activity has to be in the service of God and not to increase one’s own fame or renown, or to proclaim distorted beliefs and interpretations. That emphasis on the power of the name of Jesus is of crucial importance: it is a reference to the liberty of the Holy Spirit, whose presence is certainly within the Church, but it can extend beyond the instituted or official ministries.
• Jesus takes a child. The enigma of Jesus being delivered caused a great dispute among the disciples, as they wondered to whom the first place would belong. Without being asked His opinion, Jesus, who, being God, knew how to read hearts, intervenes with a symbolic gesture. To begin, He takes a child and places him at His side. Such a gesture is an indication of election, of privilege, that is extended at the moment that one becomes a Christian (Lk 10:21-22). So that this gesture will be understood, and not baffling, Jesus gives a word of explanation: the “greatness” of the child is not stressed but is an inclination to “acceptance”. The Lord considers “great” anyone who, like a child, knows how to accept God and His messengers. Salvation presents two aspects: the election on the part of God, which is symbolized by Jesus’ gesture, who accepts the child, and the acceptance of the one who has sent Him, the Father of Jesus (who is the Son) and of every person. The child embodies Jesus, and both, in their smallness and suffering, realize God’s presence (Bovon). The two aspects of salvation are also indicative of faith: in the gift of election the passive element emerges; in service, the active one emerges; two pillars of Christian existence. To accept God or Christ in faith has the consequence of total acceptance of the little ones on the part of the believer or of the community. “To be great,” which the disciples were talking about, is not a reality of something beyond, but it refers to the present moment and is expressed in the “diaconia” of service. Lived love and faith fulfill two functions: we are accepted by Christ (takes the child); but also we have the particular gift of receiving Him (“anyone who accepts the child, accepts Him, the Father”, v. 48). A brief dialogue follows between Jesus and John (vv. 49-50). This last disciple is considered among Jesus’ intimates. The exorcist, who does not belong to those who are intimate with Jesus, is entrusted the same role that is given to the disciples. He is an exorcist who, on the one side is external to the group, but on the other, is inside the group because he has understood the Christological origin of divine force that guides him (“in Your name”). Jesus’ teaching is clear: a Christian group should not place obstacles to the missionary activity of other groups which are true to the teachings of Jesus. There are no Christians who are “greater” than others, but one is “great” in being and in becoming Christian. Then missionary activity has to be in the service of God and not to increase one’s own fame or renown, or to proclaim distorted beliefs and interpretations. That emphasis on the power of the name of Jesus is of crucial importance: it is a reference to the liberty of the Holy Spirit, whose presence is certainly within the Church, but it can extend beyond the instituted or official ministries.
4) Personal questions
• How do you, as a baptized believer, understand success
and suffering?
• What type of “greatness” do you live in your service to life, to people? Are you able to change competition into cooperation?
• Do you recognize those in society today who use Christianity or missionary activity for personal fame or personal gain?
• What type of “greatness” do you live in your service to life, to people? Are you able to change competition into cooperation?
• Do you recognize those in society today who use Christianity or missionary activity for personal fame or personal gain?
5) Concluding Prayer
I praise Your name Lord for Your faithful love and Your
constancy;
for You have exalted Your word and Your name above everything.
You heard me on the day when I called,
and You gave new strength to my heart. (Ps 138:2-3)
for You have exalted Your word and Your name above everything.
You heard me on the day when I called,
and You gave new strength to my heart. (Ps 138:2-3)
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