Memorial of Saint
Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church
(Job 3:1-3.11-17.20-23; Luke 9:51-56)
We sometimes see images of St. Jerome with a lion at his side. Those who know little about him may think
that Jerome befriended lions much like St. Francis of Assisi befriended the
wolf. But much more likely the lion
represents St. Jerome himself. Jerome displayed
anger for his enemies that could flare into a rage. The heretic Pelagius was one who felt the
incandescence of Jerome’s anger.
In the gospel Jesus’ disciples James and John demonstrate a
similar tendency to rage. Learning that a
Samaritan village will not welcome the Lord, they want to call down fire upon
the place. They have not taken to heart
Jesus’ instructions for missionaries.
Jesus told his apostles that if a village refuses to accept them, they
were to “shake the dust your feet in testimony against them.”
Jerome is a saint despite his irascibility not but because
of it. We may be sure that he mastered
it before entering the Kingdom
of God. Jesus counsels forbearance and forgiveness
when people rebuke our best efforts.
Uncontrolled anger has no place in his following.
