Homily for Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

 – Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church (30 September 2025, Cycle I):

Theme: “The Word of God: Fire for the Journey.”




Introduction

There is an old saying: “Dust on the Bible leads to rust in the soul.”
If Saint Jerome were here today, he would nod furiously at that! Jerome, the fiery scholar who translated the Bible into Latin, once said: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” He reminds us that the Word of God is not optional – it’s our lifeline.

Life story

I once heard a story of a child who asked his mother: “Mum, who wrote the Bible?” The mother replied, “God did.” The child thought a little and then asked, “Then how come He keeps spelling things differently in different books?” We laugh, but the truth is – many of us don’t even notice these details because we don’t open the Bible often enough!

The Word of God

  • Zechariah 8:20–23: The prophet envisions people from every nation streaming to Jerusalem to seek the Lord. God’s love is not just for one people, but for all nations. This foreshadows the Church as the universal family of God.

  • Psalm 87: God counts every nation as belonging to His city, Zion. This is a psalm of inclusion – nobody is left outside God’s embrace.

  • Luke 9:51–56: Jesus “sets His face towards Jerusalem.” He knows the suffering ahead but chooses fidelity to His mission. When His disciples want revenge on the Samaritans for rejecting Him, Jesus corrects them: His way is not violence but mercy.

Connection of the Readings

The readings connect beautifully:

  • Zechariah and the Psalm show us God’s universal plan of salvation.

  • Luke shows us Jesus embodying this universal love – refusing revenge, embracing mercy.

  • Jerome lived this mission by translating Scripture so that all could encounter Christ.

Lessons for Daily Life

  1. Be People of the Word – Like Jerome, we must study, pray, and live Scripture.

  2. Choose Mercy Over Revenge – Jesus’ refusal to retaliate is a call for us to walk away from bitterness.

  3. Welcome All – The Church is a home for every tribe and nation; so must our hearts be.

Inspirational Note

Saint Jerome spent his life wrestling with the Scriptures. He even admitted the Bible often “hit him like a thunderbolt.” That’s how powerful God’s Word is – it shakes us, heals us, and reforms us if we let it.

Quote of the Day

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” – St Jerome

Final Thoughts

In our Jubilee Year spirit and the Synod on Synodality, we are invited to become a people who walk together, guided by the Word. The Bible is not just a book on the shelf; it’s God walking with us.

Message for the Oppressed

If you feel rejected or excluded, remember: God counts you as part of His family. You are not forgotten. Like the nations streaming to Jerusalem, you too belong in His house.

Conclusion

Saint Jerome teaches us: don’t just own a Bible—live it. Don’t just read words—meet Christ in them.

Short Prayer

Lord Jesus, You set Your face towards Jerusalem with courage and mercy. Give me a heart that loves Your Word, a spirit that forgives like You, and eyes that see every person as part of Your family. Through the prayers of Saint Jerome, help me never to be ignorant of Scripture nor of You. Amen.

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