Memorial of Saint
Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church
(Job 38:1.12-21.40:3-5; Luke 10:13-16)
St. Jerome is sometimes pictured with a lion. Some people opine that Jerome befriended
lions, but that is not so. Jerome was a
lion. He unreservedly criticized supposed
heretics like Pelagius. His critique of
adversaries was both harsh and heady. It
could be compared to Jesus’ in today’s gospel.
Jesus has given up on three of the towns where his
disciples have just preached. In
rejecting his disciples, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum have rejected not
only Jesus but God the Father. Jesus
denounces their obtuseness. Capernaum
might be known for its fish and Bethsaida for its green grass, but now their
fame is negative. They are places known
for refusing the message of God’s ineffable love.
We may wonder about the virtue of expressing anger like Jerome
and Jesus. Anger is considered a vice
when it leads to violence. Therefore, we
must take care not to get carried away when injustice or untruth gives rise to
hard feelings. However, to call an evil
by its name when we are sure of what it is, is likely the work of virtuous
courage.
