Homily: Sept 30 2016 - St. Jerome - Understanding Scripture

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.