Though he lived nearly 1700 years ago, St. Jerome’s impact
upon the Church—upon the intellectual and spiritual live of Christians—has been
profound. The Opening Prayer today refers to St. Jerome’s “living and tender love for Scripture” And his work in this area is his greatest gift to the
Church.
The Second Vatican Council in the document on Sacred
Scripture, Dei Verbum, quoted St. Jerome: “For if, as St. Paul says, Christ is
the power of God and the wisdom of God, and if the man who does not know
Scripture does not know the power and wisdom of God, then ignorance of
Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” The
Catechism quotes him as well, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ”
That’s a pretty bold claim, isn’t it? St. Jerome, a Doctor
of the Catholic Church, meaning, he teaches us how to be Christian, urges us
to recognize that serious Bible study is a necessity, not an optional luxury.
Though our liturgies are full of Scripture, scripture
informs our every prayer, merely hearing scripture as a passive observer is not
enough. Vatican II, in the same document on Scripture, says that Scripture is “food
for the soul”. The way many of us treat scripture is like smelling the food
baking in the oven without actually consuming the food without.
And it’s somewhat understandable, there is often hesitation
on the part of Catholics to be familiar with the Bible. It’s a complex book. 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.
St. Jerome is not alone in encouraging us to read Scripture.
St. Augustine wrote in his confessions the beautiful words: “Let your
scriptures be my chaste delight…O Lord, perfect me and reveal those pages to
me! See, 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 the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge. These are the
treasures I seek in your book.”
In reflecting on God’s Holy word, may we encounter God’s
great love for us, and learn to ourselves to offer ourselves as a living
sacrifice for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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