Today we honor and remember St. Jerome. He is best known for translating the Bible into Latin in the late 300s. This version of the Bible was called the Vulgate and became the official Bible for many centuries. He also found strength by often living in seclusion, like a hermit. The Bible is now published in every language, all because St. Jerome got the process started with the translation to Latin, which was a “universal” language. If you have read the Bible in your native language recently, offer thanks to St. Jerome.
The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away
The first reading from Job is one that I have not reviewed in a very long time. These are the verses where we learn of the repeated tragedies and maladies wrought upon Job and his family. All of his prized possessions are destroyed, save a very few who were left to tell the tale of the destruction. We also read the most famous line, which describes Job’s attitude. Rather than complain and curse God, he replies with the line “The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away, Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
We are all blessed with material and non-material things, often more blessed than we deserve. We may think that all these blessings are because of “us” or “me,” but that’s not the case. These blessings are on loan from God.
The material things can’t be brought with us when we go, but we are expected to be good stewards of what we have. The nonmaterial things can perhaps be relived in the afterlife. With an attitude like Job’s, who realizes that his material things are on loan, the losses don’t seem quite so harsh. He has his relationship with the Lord, and that surpasses all eventually. He will receive abundant blessings in Heaven.
Against Us or For Us
In today’s hyper partisan world, we are pitted against one another. If divided into small groups, and set against each other, we will lose our collective strength. Perhaps it is time to recall the quote from Luke in today’s Gospel, “…for whoever is not against you is for you”.
We certainly don’t agree with all things and all people, even amongst our family and friends. However, we can certainly build on common beliefs. We can agree to approve certain types of behavior and certain ways to share our feelings. As a church, made up of many parts, let’s work together with the parts we are given. We have an assortment of talents and gifts, and let’s share them with each other as one body. We can’t all be hands or feet or ears, but we can be who we are meant to be. We can also share these common beliefs beyond the doors of the church and church hall. In fact, we MUST share these common beliefs beyond the doors of the church and church hall.
Legend has it that St. Jerome removed a thorn from a lion’s paw, and the two became fast friends. This is not normal for predators and prey. An act of kindness opens up possibilities we may not have thought possible. St. Jerome, pray for us.
