"A print of a famous Caravaggio painting of Saint Jerome hangs on my office wall. Saint Jerome was a foundational biblical scholar and is recognized as the patron saint of those who study and translate the sacred texts. That the painting is a masterwork of fine art is hardly surprising given the professional skill of the famous painter. Even so, I like it near at hand more for its message than the skill of its medium. The painting depicts Saint Jerome in old age as he labors at his life's work of studying and translating the Bible. He is seated at a desk with a disheveled appearance, wrapped in a blanket as if his first act upon waking was to return to his work. Facing him, there is a human skull, reminding him of the urgency of his work as time is short. Overall, it is a picture of a man of full focus and devotion to the Word of God, and to his own work in helping the people of God to receive that Word in all its life-giving power."
In a recent commentary, Bishop Richard G. Henning, bishop of the Diocese of Providence
(RI), reflected on some of the blessings of Scripture study and translation.
To access Bishop Henning's complete essay, please visit:
The State of Hope: The Richness of the Word (5 OCT 23)
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