Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a; Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12ab, 13; Lk 9:43b-45
Notes: Mention open borders and half the nation loses its mind.
But most of us don’t understand it or research it or we simply ignore it and declare it bad because [insert reactionary of your choice] said so. It is easy to see a poor implementation as proof of a poor theology but that would be like declaring motherhood bad because of one Mom losing her cool in an instance.
Failed Nation-States and large natural disasters are undesirable causations but are gateway events to the greater glory of God. Jesus reminds us of that.
In today’s first reading and paired with the Responsorial from Jeremiah, the LORD takes a different view. Indwelling and Return. Run, tell this to that young man: People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country, because of the multitude of men and beasts in her midst.
The LORD will be an encircling wall of fire providing – the divine protection for an unwalled Jerusalem (NABRE commentary).
We are afraid to ask the LORD about this way of living. We are afraid to even take incremental steps (tip-toe) to taste and savor the world the LORD has offered in the Return of Jeremiah. The LORD desires to gather us in and live without barriers which is a pilgrim journey that never ends and can only be approaches and attempted.
Saint Jerome translated the sacred to the language of the day (Biblia vulgata, the ‘Bible in the common tongue’). It was radical for some. It wasn’t simple or easy. If you fear God, frightful in a sense. But, and remember this, it is a part of the Indwelling and the Return.
The final ingathering is in Heaven.
But we live here. The same places and the same realities as Jesus lived.
In today’s gospel portion Jesus continues the attempt to educate the disciples about the difficult time ahead. The reading is from The Second Prediction of the Passion. The Passion was terrifying and upset their privileged life (to eat and live with Jesus).
While they were all amazed at his every deed… [they could not] Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men. But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
They were afraid to ask him about this.
Ask Jesus about Open Borders.
Don’t be afraid.
Good read: Why Open Borders? Link: Why Open Borders?
Note: Encircling wall of fire: divine protection for an unwalled Jerusalem.
First Reading
"Run, tell this to that young man:
People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country,
because of the multitude of men and beasts in her midst.
But I will be for her an encircling wall of fire, says the LORD,
and I will be the glory in her midst."
Many nations will bind themselves to the LORD on that day.
They will be my people, and I will dwell in your midst.
Then you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
Responsorial (from Jeremiah portion on Ingathering or a/k/a The Return)
The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
proclaim it on distant isles, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
he guards them as a shepherd guards his flock.
Gospel Acclamation
Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
Gospel
While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry