HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF ST. JEROME, PRIEST AND DOCTOR
THEME: Do you have God figured out?
BY: Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)
HOMILY FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30 2022
Job.38:1.12-21;40:3-5; Ps.139:1-3.7-8.9-10.13-14ab (R. 24b); Luke 10:13-16
There are times when we think we have God figured out completely. We try to predict His ways, we try to command Him to work in our interests, we even insult Him for times we feel He’s failed us. This is largely due to Ignorance. When we pay attention to the first reading of today, we realise that no one can know or understand God completely. When the Lord answers Job from the whirlwind, Job realises that truly God is way beyond him. And Job concludes by saying, “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”
Friends, the Lord knows us completely. He understands us better than we understand ourselves. We must come to realise that God will never abandon us, even when we face challenges. We cannot keep weighing God on the scale of miracles, signs and wonders. After all, the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida saw mighty works and still took God for granted. We need to learn something from the example of St Jerome, who strove not to be ignorant of the Scriptures and of God. He put God first by denying the world and choosing asceticism. He was so generous with his talents, that he translated the entire Greek Bible to Latin, and went further to write many commentaries. And he was very patient with the erring and needy. Why not me too?
Good morning dear. God bless your day ahead. Happy last day of the month of September.