Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Jerome
 
Biographical information about St. Jerome

“St Jerome”
by Federico Fiori Barocci,  c. 1598

Readings for Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: Job 1:6-22
 
One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,
Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, "Whence do you come?"
Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
"From roaming the earth and patrolling it." 
And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him,
blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?"
But Satan answered the LORD and said,
"Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family
and all that he has with your protection?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,
and surely he will blaspheme you to your face."
And the LORD said to Satan,
"Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person."
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
 
And so one day, while his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said,
"The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
"Lightning has fallen from heaven
and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,
"The Chaldeans formed three columns,
seized the camels, carried them off,
and put those tending them to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
"Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
when suddenly a great wind came across the desert
and smote the four corners of the house.
It fell upon the young people and they are dead;
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,
 
"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! “In all this Job did not sin,
nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.
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Commentary on Jb 1:6-22
 
This beginning section of the Book of Job describes Satan’s dialogue with God.  He attempts to turn Job from being faithful to God by attempting to dupe Job into believing that God’s favor had been withdrawn from him, and punishment was being laid upon him. In successive waves, messengers arrive to bring terrible news, as one at a time, all of the material blessings given to God’s faithful servant are stripped away. The series of disasters concludes with the death of his children, his posterity. With this final blow, Job tears his clothes, a symbol of mourning, and cuts off his hair as a sign of repentance
 
The first scene ends with Job victorious as God's faithful servant: Satan thought he would curse the Lord (v. 11), but in fact he openly praises him (v. 21). The sacred writer comes out on Job's side when he states that Job committed no sin nor even raised his voice against God. Satan has been proved wrong. [4]
 
CCC: Jb 1:6 441
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 17:1bcd, 2-3, 6-7
 
R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
 
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
 
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
 
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
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Commentary on Ps 17:1bcd, 2-3, 6-7
 
Psalm 17 is an individual lament. The psalmist sings for God’s help in distress. Having been firm in faithfulness, the singer calls upon the Lord for justice. Faith in God’s salvation will follow those who keep firmly to God’s commands.
 
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Gospel: 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.”
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Commentary on Lk 9:46-50
 
St. Luke depicts a teaching moment for Jesus as he tells his disciples that they must not fall into the all-too-human trap of rivalry for leadership. Rather, he tells them that humble leadership will be the norm. In the second instance, the Lord insists that his disciples accept support from those whom they do not know (see also comments on Mark 9:38-50).
 
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Reflection:
 
Kneeling before the tabernacle, I can think of only one thing to say to our Lord: "My God, you know that I love you." And I feel that my prayer does not weary Jesus; knowing my weakness, He is satisfied with my good will. -Saint Therese of Lisieux
 
When we read the Gospel of St. Luke and hear the words we heard today: “For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest,” there are some contemporary examples we could point to for meaning. None, however, are more eloquent than the attitude expressed by St. Thérèse, the Little Flower of Jesus, who was just quoted.
 
The simple faith captured in that one piercing prayer: “My God, you know that I love you,” says volumes, and when it comes from the heart, it drives our actions to imitate those of Christ. His whole mission was to give exactly that message from God to us: “My children, you know that I love you.” This same emotion is embodied in all of the saints and martyrs whose lives we celebrate.
 
The Lord was telling his disciples that, when their intent was unselfish, and their actions were directed at loving God, then their leadership would be genuine, and the outcome would be pleasing to the Father, whose love is expressed perfectly in Jesus. It is such a simple concept that, like them, we often “overthink” it. We get caught up in the complexity of human interaction, trying to detect motives and appeal to agendas. Our expression of that prayer: “My God, you know that I love you,” in our every action will accomplish what God intends.
 
Pax

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[1] The picture is “St Jerome” by Federico Fiori Barocci,  c. 1598.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] The Navarre Bible: “Wisdom Books,” Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, p. 31.