February 8 2018 - St. Jerome Emiliani - Solomon's folly and the wisdom of the Saints

Although he had faithfully completed the construction of the Temple, and led the solemn procession of the Ark into the Holy of Holies, with which the Lord was well pleased, and although he was known internationally for his wisdom, we hear today how King Solomon turned his heart to strange Gods, a violation of the first commandment of the Sinai covenant.

We hear how, instead of following the plan of God established from the beginning, that a man shall have only one wife, Solomon had many foreign wives, 700 of them, and he funds to the building of temples to their pagan gods by overtaxing God’s people.

Solomon’s idolatry, and his lust for women and power is going to have terrible consequences for Israel. The twelve tribes, united under the one kingship, are going to be divided into northern and southern kingdoms, leaving Israel vulnerable to foreign enemies. The 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom will be carried off into exile by the Assyrians and will completely lose their religious and cultural identity. Later, the last two tribes will be exiled in Babylon, the holy city will be ransacked, the temple will be destroyed. God’s chosen people will enter the darkest time of their history basically because of Solomon.

Solomon, the wisest man in the world, became a fool, when he blatantly disregarded the commandments of God.

Contrast the foolishness and resultant devastation of Solomon with the wisdom and the lasting legacy of one of the saints honored by the universal church today, St. Jerome Emiliani.

Jerome was born into a wealthy noble family of Venice. After a bit of a misspent youth, as a young man, he entered military service, still very worldly, irreligious, and pleasure-seeking.  While defending the city-state of Venice, he was captured and chained in a dungeon.  In prison Jerome had a lot of time to think, and he gradually learned how to pray.  He was able to escape imprisonment, and he claimed to have been freed through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  He made a vow to dedicate himself to her service.

After being ordained a priest, a plague and famine swept through northern Italy.  Jerome began caring for the sick and feeding the hungry at his own expense.  While serving the sick and the poor, he resolved to devote himself entirely to others, particularly to abandoned children.  He founded three orphanages, a shelter for repentant prostitutes and a hospital.

He founded the Clerks Regular of Somasca who to this day continue the holy work of their founder: the care of orphans, the disadvantaged and the poor, the treatment of at-risk youth, and the rehabilitation of drug addicts in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Two ways, the way of death and the way of life are presented to us today. By God’s grace may we choose the right path, faithful to his commands, generous with the gifts he gives for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month of February, that those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.

For the grace to discern the will of God in our own lives, how to serve him faithfully and generously.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord