September 30, 2016

Jerome

September 30, 2016:  St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor

  • 'Roads' tie:  "Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way" (psalm) (trumps "doctor's office" tie for St. Jerome, 'doctor' of the Church)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  "I put my hand over my mouth" (1st reading); "Your hand shall guide me" (psalm)
  • '?' tie pin:  God's questions to Job (1st reading)
  • 'Seal' tie pin:  "The earth is changed as is clay by the seal" (I know it's not that kind of seal, but...) (1st reading)
  • White shirt:  color of St. Jerome's memorial


Listen

For 1st reading

For St. Jerome
For Psalm 139
Read
Animate
  • Jb 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5  Lord to Job:  "Have you commanded the morning?  Have you walked about in the depths of the abyss?  Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?  Tell me where light and darkness dwell!? / "I'm of little account; what can I answer?  I won't speak again."
  • Ps 139:1-3, 7-10, 13-14b  "Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way."  Lord, you formed me and know me:  my actions, thoughts, journeys, ways.  Wherever I go, your hand shall guide me.  Thank you that I'm wonderfully made.
  • Lk 10:13-16  “Woe to you, Chorazin and Bethsaida!  If the mighty deeds you saw had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented.  Capernaum, you will go down to the netherworld.  Whoever listens to you listens to me, but whoever rejects you rejects me and the one who sent me.”
St. Jerome
  • Universalis:  St. Jerome, unwillingly ordained a priest, founded monastery, hospice, and school, translated Bible into Latin, wrote many works, including letters and commentaries on Scripture, and helped refugees and those in need.
Reflect
    St. Jerome/ Spada
    (See below re skull)
  • Creighton:  I must let go!  God knows every detail about us, our thoughts, our comings and goings, steps...  But we may think we're the ones who know what we'll be doing and leave God out.  We must let go of loved ones, possessions, and control; to do that, we need to rest in God’s presence. Imagine being aware of God’s complete control, relaxing during times when the noise of a situation is all you can hear, and your mind wants to take charge. Pause, remind yourself God has this, and let God open your fist, place his hand into yours, and lead. The more we open our hands to hold his, the more we'll realize how much better the outcome will be. My prized possessions are my family members.  God will never let go of me.  As I learned to relax, knowing God takes care of me, I become more aware of his care for my prized possessions.  I've tried to hide from people, but God won't allow that to happen.  Letting go of the past and accepting what is, as God has planned it, opens me to learn how I can be more supportive for others.  Our security is in God's presence, not our possessions and control.  God reminds us to trust him...
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Hate the sin and love the Church of sinners":  God's ways and thoughts are high above ours (Is 55:8-9).  We must say with Job, "I'm of little account; what can I answer You? I put my hand over my mouth."  But the Lord has decided to speak through his Church of weak, limited human beings.  The Lord has made his Church "pillar and bulwark of truth," his Body, his bride.  The Lord loves, gave his life for, and exalts the Church.  We're turned off when we see the Church full of sinners, not naturally lovable, but the Spirit graces us to love this human Church....
  • Passionist:  In space and time, each of us is very small, as a grain of sand in a vast desert.  We, with our weaknesses, sins, and limitations, are of little account.  A rabbi explained that God is not seen as much now because “no one bows low enough.”  But after long dialogue with God, Job bowed low enough; then he regained his possessions and peace of mind.  “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble....”
  • DailyScripture.net:  "He who hears you hears me":  If Jesus were to visit your community today, would he issue a warning, and how would you respond?  Jesus did mighty works to show people how much God had for them.  Chorazin and Bethsaida had been blessed; they heard good news and experienced Jesus' wonderful works, but he was sorrowful for them, likely because they were indifferent.  Repentance demands change of heart and ways. Jesus' anger is directed toward everything which hinders us from doing God's will and receiving his blessing. How do I receive God's word?

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