Christ the Cornerstone

God’s Word is the source of our joy

“Lord God, your words were found and I consumed them; your word became the joy and the happiness of my heart” (Jer 15:16).

Today, Sept. 30, our Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Jerome, who was a great Scripture scholar and the primary translator of the Bible from original Hebrew and Greek sources into Latin. Jerome’s list of writings is extensive and, as a theologian, he wrote many polemical and historical essays besides his biblical works.

Jerome was a passionate man who tried to live according to strict ascetic practices and who did not hesitate to criticize others (especially the clergy) when he believed they were lax in their observance of Christian virtues.

That made Jerome a controversial figure in fifth-century Rome, but his all-too human weaknesses didn’t prevent the Church from recognizing his remarkable gifts as a student of divine revelation and a patron saint of all who seek to break open the word of God.

The word of God occupies a place of honor in our Church’s worship, catechesis and social ministry. We believe that God has reached out to us to reveal both his identity and his love for us.

The diverse writings that we have received from the inspired authors of the Old and New Testaments—guided always by the Holy Spirit—form the content of our faith. As interpreted and approved by the Church, these holy words that together make up God’s word provide us with insights into who God is and who we are called to become as women and men made in God’s image.

As Pope Francis teaches us, the word of God “transforms an ordinary day into the today in which God speaks to us.” The pope believes that it is important for all of us “to keep a Gospel within reach, and to calmly read and re-read a small passage every day.”

Since the word of God has the power to change us—to draw us closer to God and to one another—it’s important that we be familiar with what the Lord has to say to us as we face the opportunities and challenges of living the Gospel in our contemporary society. “Because when the Gospel enters into today’s world, it fills it with God,” the pope teaches. By continually familiarizing ourselves with the Gospel, Pope Francis says, “it will bring us the newness and joy of God.”

St. Jerome would agree wholeheartedly. His entire life and ministry were dedicated to making the word of God more accessible to those who seek to know, love and serve God faithfully. As he said, “Whoever ignores the Scriptures ignores Christ.” And, of course, it is Jesus Christ himself who opens our minds and hearts to understand the word of God as it comes to us in and through sacred Scripture.

One of the greatest gifts of our time is the rediscovery of Scripture in the life of the Church and in daily life. As Pope Francis has said, “Never before as today has the Bible been so accessible to all and in all languages, now even in audiovisual and digital formats.”

The Holy Father often refers to the Bible as “a love letter from the one who knows us best.” That’s why he encourages everyone to read a brief selection from one of the Gospels every day.

Speaking about the synodal process that our Church is currently engaged in, Pope Francis says:

The word of God is also the beacon that guides the synodal journey that has begun throughout the Church. As we strive to listen to each other, with attention and discernment, let us listen together to the word of God and the Holy Spirit. May Our Lady obtain for us the constancy to nourish ourselves with the Gospel every day.

God’s word serves as both a companion and a guide on our life’s journey. As a companion, it offers encouragement and hope based on the experiences of others who from the beginning of salvation history have travelled the paths that we are taking. As a guide, it shows us how to avoid the pitfalls and the wrong turns leading to dead-ends that we are tempted to take. By keeping the word of God close at hand, we have a much better chance of finding our way.

Let’s ask the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Jerome to intercede for us. May we never lose the joy of spreading the Gospel, and may we listen attentively to Jesus, the Word of God who took on human flesh and became our brother.

As we confront the challenges of Christian life today, may we use sacred Scripture as a companion and guide on our synodal journey. †