St. Jerome was born in the Balkans in 345 and was an
excellent scholar. He was particularly adept at languages, mastering greek,
latin, and Hebrew. His translation of the bible which came to be known as the
Vulgate served for centuries as the official translation of the Church for
liturgical use and church documents.
The Opening Prayer today refers to St. Jerome’s “living and tender
love for Sacred Scripture” The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The
Church…specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful. . . to learn the
surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ by frequent reading of the divine
Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”
We come to the knowledge of Christ through the Scriptures.
St. Augustine wrote in his Confessions the beautiful words,
“Let your scriptures be my delight…O Lord, perfect me and reveal those pages to
me! Your voice is my joy. Give me what I love…May the inner secrets of your
words be laid open to me when I knock. This I beg by our Lord Jesus Christ in
whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
There is often hesitation on the part of Catholics to be
familiar with the Bible. Yet, for those who open its pages, the Scriptures are
refreshing, they are consoling, they are instructive, and corrective, they are
more valuable than gold. We should read,
and meditate on Scripture every day.
Having a “living and tender love for Scripture” leads us to a living and
tender loving care for God and the willingness to follow his Holy Will.
By studying the Scripture we come to know who we are, who we
are meant to be, and so we must not be hesitant to learn How to read the bible,
so that we may draw nearer to Christ. May we come to understand His Gospel and
follow it and so come to eternal life.
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