Nehemiah 2:1-8 / Luke 9:57-62 (Memorial of St. Jerome)
Today the Church remembers and honours St. Jerome (346-420).
He is best known for his translation of most of the Bible into Latin (the translation that became known as the Vulgate), and his commentaries on the Gospels. His list of writings is extensive. St. Jerome was also known for his teachings on Christian moral life
His best known quote about the Scriptures is "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ".
St. Jerome has been a popular subject with artists, who have pictured him in the desert, as a scholar in his study, and sometimes in the robes of a cardinal, because of his services to Pope Damasus.
Often too he is shown with a lion, from whose paw, according to legend, he once drew a thorn. Actually this story was transferred to him from the tradition of St. Gerasimus, but nonetheless a lion is quite an appropriate symbol for so fearless a champion of the faith.
Also pictured with him, his writing instruments and books is a skull. That was to remind him of the finality of life where all will have to surrendered to the Lord, and also of the spiritual death that sin would bring about.
St. Jerome's life was a total surrender to God and he followed his Master who had nowhere to lay His head on.
May we read and reflect deeper on the Scriptures and come to know Jesus our Lord and Master and like St. Jerome offer our lives in service to Him.