Monday of the 26th week in ordinary time
Job 1: 6-22 Luke 9: 46-50
Theme: “The works done in you”
Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. Jerome, a priest and Doctor of the church. St. Jerome whose memorial we celebrate today is a man who contributed immensely towards the growth of the church. He translated the Latin Bible, the vulgate and he greatly encouraged the study of the scriptures, and he wrote a lot on theological issues. He is known for his popular saying that the “ignorance of the scriptures is the ignorance of God”. As we celebrate him today, it gives us the opportunity to reflect on our commitment to the word of God. How much effort are we putting into the study of God, for a better understanding of the mind of God as it concerns our life as children of God and his followers. Dearly beloved in Christ, today’s liturgy invites us in a very special way to emulate the teaching and lifestyle of St. Jerome; a man who zealously served God with the gifts that God has given him.
Dearly beloved in Christ, taking the assertion of Jesus in today’s gospel reading into consideration, one would say that the works done in the life of St. Jerome was not in vain; it yielded abundant fruits that continues to flourish, even in our own day. St. Jerome performed his ministry with great love and humility, and that is the message of Jesus to his followers in the gospel reading of today. The disposition of little children is very innocent and unassuming, and that is what Jesus is saying that we should practice in our lives as his followers. At the end of the day, this is part of what will show that one is truly great according to the standard of Jesus Christ and not that of the world. We must be mindful of our quest for power and authority as children of God, lest we deviate from the part that leads to life eternal. Interestingly, we see the inner circle of Jesus, so to say, struggling for who is the greatest among them, and Jesus used the opportunity to enlighten them.
We pray today that through the intercession of St. Jerome, God will grant us the grace to embrace the word of God and put it into practice in our daily life. May almighty God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.