Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Daily Readings: Zechariah 8:20-23; Psalm 87:1-3, 4-7; Luke 9:51-56
Zechariah was a 6th century BCE Hebrew Minor Prophet and priest who lived among the returnees from the exile. He is known for his ministry of encouraging rebuilding of the Temple, the city and the walls of Jerusalem. He gave the people lots of encouragement and hope. He is a contemporary of Minor Prophet Haggai. Today’s text breaks the shackles of narrow-minded monopoly of the Jews who thought that Yahweh is only the God of Israel. It also serves as a prophecy to display God’s universalistic attitude. The inhabitants of one city will invite those living in other cities to go closer to God, seek Him and entreat His favour. Even ten men from nations, namely the non-Jewish people will catch hold of a Jew to plead, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you”. That means, God’s people must live such an exemplary life that non-Jewish population wants to worship God of Israel.
An important phase begins in the life of Jesus with Luke 9:51. He turns his face to Jerusalem. He thinks of the days of ascension. His journey is purposeful. It prepares him for his suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. Lukan Jesus concentrates more on the ascension than the route to reach it as it is part of the package. Ascension marks the return of Jesus to the Father. It is true that the Samaritans rejected Jesus but the anger of James and John displays their narrow mentality. They deserved the rebuke of Jesus. Who are they to command fire to come down and consume those people? Their attitude goes against the approach of the people of Zechariah’s time. Our God is a God of all. Jesus belongs to all. No one has monopoly over God and Jesus.
Call to Action: St. Jerome is an example of how to fall in love with the Word of God. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Blessed are those who know how to eat the Word of God!
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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