Memorial of Saint Jerome, Presbyter & Doctor of the Church
God is with us! Emmanuel! We tend to recall this word and phrase only during Christmas time, but the prophet Zephaniah and the people who join the witnesses of faith remind us again of the great gift of God in our midst. Christ Eucharistic is there for us to guide and strengthen us in our faith – all the time!
Jerome wanted the world to know, through Sacred Scriptures, that “Emmanuel” was truly with us. He devoted his life to translating God’s Word, “God with us,” into the biblical texts we have come to know today. Our faith needs guidance as we journey to Jerusalem, our ultimate and eternal home. Scripture provides a significant piece of the toolbox for Eucharistic living on the path to that final resting place.
We pray and focus on our future each day with great hope – especially during a Jubilee Year dedicated to hope. Because we know God is with us on our journey, we trust the direction we need to take – now and in the future, to the new, eternal Jerusalem. We can be at rest, assured, and deepen our trust that God is with us, and pray for this assurance when we are in doubt. Jerome’s tome(s) provided assurance that would be translated from generation to generation in fresh ways of seeing God’s presence.
Life is filled with many challenges. We can never fully understand each moment, whether fortunate or unfortunate, in our lives. However, with a Bible in one hand and the Eucharist in our hearts, we truly know and believe that God is with us. That’s what matters most.
People look to us to seek that assurance and strength. May we witness it once again, as we often show others: God is with us!
Prayer
As you lead your people, O God, you bring them through trials and joys to follow the cross to the eternal Jerusalem. Through your Word made flesh, we know that there are challenges, and not everyone will accept us. Looking forward to our happy home, may we serve you in all its richness and continue to discover the joys of our Eucharistic call and vocation, through Christ our Lord.
