Jerome

September 30, 2017:  St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor

• 'Doctor's office' tie:  St. Jerome, 'doctor' of the Church

• 'Angel' pin:  An angel spoke to Zechariah (1st reading)

• 'Eyeball' pin, 'ruler' tie bar, 'hand' pin:  Zechariah saw a man with measuring line in his hand (1st reading); the Lord will redeem Jacob from his conqueror's hand (psalm); the Son of Man will be 'hand'ed over (gospel)

• 'Sheep' tie bar:  "The Lord will guard us as a shepherd his flock" (psalm)

• White shirt:  Color of St. Jerome's memorial

Listen

For St. Jerome

• Take the word of God with you/ Harrison, Walker, but hear this one for the chords:  sheet music

• Thy word/ Grant

Canticle-inspired

• Like a shepherd/ Dufford

• More "Good Shepherd" music

Pope Francis to mayors

A city should not permit one-way traffic of exasperated individualism or tolerate privatization of public spaces or corruption.  Have passion for the common good that allows each person and family to realize themselves and open themselves in communion with others.  Poverty and marginalization breed in areas that lack quality services, while elsewhere others are overly cared for. Reject plans that divide and make one person's life another's death.

Visit your peripheries; the point of view of the least teaches us true needs and solutions, both making us feel the injustice and showing the way to eliminate it and create a community where each one is recognized as a person with rights and duties.   When you're close to your people, things go well.  Overcome the challenge of migrants and refugees by offering spaces for personal encounter and knowledge of one another.  Thank you for promoting the culture of encounter and the exchange of artistic and cultural riches and for adopting the good practice of welcome and integration.

Read

• Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a  I, Zechariah, saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.  “Where are you going?” / “To measure Jerusalem.”  The angel who spoke with me advanced, and another met him and said, “People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country, but I'll be for her an encircling wall of fire and the glory in her midst.”  Rejoice, O Zion!  The Lord is coming to dwell among you....

• Jer 31:10-12ab, 13  "The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock."  He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together.  The Lord shall ransom Jacob.  They shall come streaming to the Lord’s blessings, and all shall make merry.  I will turn their mourning into joy....

• Lk 9:43b-45  Jesus to disciples:  “The Son of Man is to be handed over.”  The disciples didn't understand and were afraid to ask.

St. Jerome

• Universalis:  St. Jerome, unwillingly ordained a priest, founded monastery, hospice, and school, translated Bible into Latin, wrote many works, including letters and commentaries on Scripture, and helped refugees and those in need.

• Excerpt from his commentary on Isaiah with his well-known warning, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."

• Read his works online

Reflect

St. Jerome/ Spada
(Read about the skull)

• Creighton:  Jerome was considered, even by saints of his time, hard to live with, cranky, and rude.  But he put his gifts of knowledge, language, and culture to the service of the Church in translating the Scriptures. He loved the Scriptures, wrote about them, and opened them for people through the centuries.  He translated the Bible into the common language of the Roman Empire, Latin, so well that all could understand.  Today’s 1st reading reminds us God is with us, surrounding and loving us.  God is closer than our breath, sheltering and protecting us.  In today’s gospel Jesus’ mission seems successful, but he tells the apostles he'll be handed over and brought low; they don't know what he's talking about and are afraid to ask.  I too have been confused about what Jesus is trying to tell me and afraid to find out what it might mean....

• One Bread, One Body:  "Measuring up?"  Zechariah had a vision of Jerusalem being measured in preparation for her restoration.  St. John was also given a rod to measure God's temple and altar, and count the worshippers.  God's people were measured to be protected.  The Lord still measures people.  In the end the Church will measure up to his standards:  "glorious, holy, immaculate, without stain or wrinkle."  The Lord gives us the grace to measure up....

• Passionist:  At Mass Jesus is present in the Blessed Sacrament, the Scriptures, the priest, and the assembly.  He's also present in those in need.  And "those who abide in love abide in God and God in them.”  Rejoice!

• DailyScripture.net:  "Astonished by God's majesty":  Ascribing majesty is acknowledging and respecting greatness.  Jesus' miracles revealed God's power, majesty, favor, and grace, especially towards the lowly.  But Jesus warned there's no share in God's glory without the cross. Jesus' prophecy of his crucifixion made no sense to his disciples; they thought the Messiah would free people from oppression but didn't know how.  They didn't want to know about the consequences of death on a cross and were afraid to ask, as someone afraid to ask a doctor out of fear of bad news.  How could the cross bring victory and lead to new life and freedom?  Lord, show us your glory that we may grow in reverence of you and your word.

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