Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Jerome, P.D. (30th September, 2019) on the Gospel and the
Memorial
Zech 8:1-8;
Ps 101:16-21.22-23.29. (R. v.17);
Lk 9:46-50.
Saint Jerome (c. 347 – 30th September 420)
was a presbyter, confessor, theologian and historian. He was born at Stridon, a
village near Emona on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia. Jerome is best known
for his translation of most of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate), and his
commentaries on the Gospels. He was known for his teachings on Christian moral
life, especially to those living in cosmopolitan centres such as Rome. In many
cases, he focused his attention to the lives of women and identified how a
woman devoted to Jesus should live her life. He is recognised as a Saint and
Doctor of the Church by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church,
the Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion.[1]
Topic: Inclusive discipleship.
Jesus reacted to His disciples’ argument about who was the
greatest among them by putting a little child beside Him and said to them,
“Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me
welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.”
John reported how they tried to stop an exorcist who was not one of them from
using Jesus’ name. But Jesus replied, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not
against you is for you.”
We sometimes behave as if we have exclusive right over Jesus
just as the disciples did in today’s gospel. However, we have one God, one
Father and one Saviour, cf. Mal 2:10,15;
1Cor 8:6; Eph 4:6; Titus 1:4. Nobody is too bad for repentance. Jesus made
us understand that God is so much after the people we have written off, cf. Matt 9:10-13.
Jesus “is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only
but also for the sins of the whole world” (1Jn
2:2). What we need from ourselves is every form of assistance that will get
each and every one of us closer to Jesus. Following Saint Jerome’s example, we
ought to help Jesus gather all as He prayed, cf. Jn 17:11, 22.
Bible Readings: Mal 2:10-17.
Thought for today: Jesus is not anybody’s personal property.
Let us pray: May God help us to gather ourselves
together – Amen.
Saint Jerome – Pray for us.
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