Desert of Calces, Syria, 375 AD Jerome's quest to learn Hebrew is a battle of mind and spirit. Under Yosef's watchful eye, his mind strains against the strange, unfamiliar alphabet. Days turn into a grueling cycle of frustration, fatigue, and profound disappointment. Yet, a burning desire to read God's Word in its original form ignites his heart. Despite the strain, the greater battle is with the enemy within. Can Jerome master his pride as fiercely as he mastered these languages? The Saints. Adventures of faith and courage. Saint Jerome. Episode 4. A Listening Year. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com And now Jerome, try Shema. Listen. Shema. It is a call to hear to truly understand. Shema. You have wrestled with this language for two years, Jerome, and now I hear the beginnings of victory. I thank our Lord that I now gather such sweet fruit from the bitter sowing of these studies. Brother Jerome, a letter has arrived for you. From Rome. From Rome? It's from Bishop Paulinus. I haven't heard from him since he left for Rome to assist Pope Damasus with the next council. Is everything alright? He urges me to come to Rome at once, but he doesn't say why. A letter from Rome is no small matter. If Bishop Paulinus calls you, it must be of great importance. But my Hebrew lessons, now that I finally see progress, I don't wish to abandon them. The Hebrew language is ancient. It will be here for you when you get back. But just as you are learning Shema, to truly listen, you will hear its voice more clearly when you return. Alright. Then I must prepare. Thank you, Joseph. Shalom, my friend. Bishop Paulinus, Jerome of Stride on his here. Let him in. Jerome, thank you for coming so quickly. Bishop Paulinus, you mentioned urgent matters? Indeed. The summons came not directly from me, but from his holiness, Pope Damasus. Pope Damasus? The holy pharaoh of Rome. Come with me. Bishop Paulinus of Antioch and Jerome of Stride are here, your holiness. Bring them forth. Your holiness, may I present Jerome, the scholar. Brother Jerome, welcome. Your holiness. Paulinus has spoken of you often, as have others. Your writings, your debates, your knowledge of Greek and Latin, and your directness. That's a charitable way to say it, Holy Father. What is the reason for my summons? The church is in danger, Jerome. The Latin translations of the Gospels, they vary. Confusion, but they are not. They vary. Confusion, breeds, and heresies spread like poison. I'm getting older every day, and I will not rest without a revised translation of the scriptures. An accurate text. We need a work of clarity and authority. I ask you to undertake a new Latin translation of the four Gospels. Your holiness, a revised translation of the four Gospels? That is a monumental task. And you are uniquely qualified for it, Jerome. Your mastery of Greek and Latin, your brilliant and moving translations, and your reputation for... For uncomfortable honesty. My bluntness has earned me more enemies than friends. Honesty is a virtue, Jerome, and we need truth, not flattery. We need a man of integrity. Unless you think we should call upon someone else, someone prepared for this. There's no one in the world more prepared than I am for a task like this. I mean... I'm sorry, your holiness, this is exactly why some Romans already despise me. Then let them despise you. That is not your concern. Now is the time, Jerome, where everything you've learned so far, all of your talents and knowledge, can be put to good purpose, a divine mission. Without an accurate translation, wolves in sheep's clothing will lead the flock astray from Christ our Lord. Do you understand the weight of this? The current poor translations are a cacophony of errors, where heretics are like dogs barking their own distorted version of Christ. But to genuinely know Him, the scriptures must be accessible, authentic, and accurate for all. Indeed, Holy Father, ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. The Gospels await your hand, Jerome. Will you answer the call? This will be a difficult task, for I am to be a judge of all translators. Well, let them bark. It's so late. I should already be at my study. Master Jerome? Jerome of Striden! Yes, you are? Paula of the House of Furi. My family holds ancient lineage in Rome, known for our senatorial standing. And this is my daughter, Eustochium. Paula, the noble widow. You are known for your wealth and piety. We have a request, if you would hear us. If you're seeking a commendation for your latest act of charity, I assure you my time is precious and I have no interest in... We are not here to solicit your praise, Master Jerome. Our purpose is far more profound. A profound purpose? In my household, we have formed a community of women, widows and virgins who have renounced marriage, all seeking to live in devotion. And we were deeply moved by your translation of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. You've read my works? Who Bishop Polinus speaks highly of your work. He is a dear friend. We understand you are undertaking a new translation of the other two Gospels. And we wish for you to help us delve deeper into the Scriptures. A group of women studying the Scriptures? We understand. It's a novel idea. But we are serious in our desire to know the Word of God. And what makes you believe you can comprehend the depths of Scripture? The same spirit that guides you guides us. We do not ask lightly. We seek not just learning, but knowledge of God. Knowledge of God, you say? It's evident in your writings that you have truly encountered the Lord in His holy Word. We seek to know Him like that, too. I presume you've heard I'm not an easy man, and that my translations have stirred some controversy. And we're here, despite your horrible reputation. Will you help us? Now, Paula, read the first verse from John's Gospel. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John is presenting Christ as the very expression of God. It's like a new creation, just as the Spirit was hovering over the waters in Genesis. Yes, exactly. Like in baptism? Precisely. Already at that time, baptism was being foreshadowed. Every word of Scripture opens out onto the mystery of God's love. Yes. John's Gospel is not a simple narrative. It is a theological revelation. We are grateful, Master Jerome, for your willingness to share your knowledge with us. It seems you are teaching me as much as I am teaching you. We learn from one another. Master Jerome, that is the beauty of shared faith. Let us continue. Paula, please continue reading. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through Him, and without Him, nothing came to be. You wanted to see me, your holiness? Do you know the rumors about you, Jerome? I imagine something unoriginal. That you spend too much time with noble women. Ah, that again. Noble men and other bishops argue that women have no capacity for theological understanding. They claim your close association with these women is inappropriate. Darkened minds see scandal everywhere. These women are more dedicated to holy learning and more capable of understanding than half the men in this city. Jerome, I have defended you, but these rumors, they persist. Christ is my witness that my only aim has been my student's spiritual progress and the service of God. I have protected you from scandal so far, but I don't know how much longer I can. Our Lord may call me to His presence very soon. I cannot abandon my students, your holiness. These holy women thirst for knowledge of Christ, for His word. Be mindful, Jerome, for your sake and for the sake of the Church. Buenosos, my old friend. You might laugh, I think, to see me now, surrounded by women, teaching them the Scriptures. I am surprised I find it fulfilling. They are eager students, Buenosos. Their minds are open, their hearts are ready to receive the word of God. They ask questions that challenge me. They see things I have overlooked, they teach me humility, tenderness of heart. But there are some foolish men who have seen us together, studying the Scriptures, and they have immediately jumped to scandalous conclusions. They cannot believe that women can share in intellectual pursuits. I fear that their poisonous whispers will destroy the very work we have begun, the study, the learning, the shared journey of faith. I pray that truth will prevail, and that these holy women will not be discouraged from what God is calling them to. Note how the Greek word logos reveals deeper meaning here. Master Jerome. Eustochium? What is it? Pope Damacis, he has died. They found him this morning. The bells are tolling. May the Lord receive him in peace. May his memory be eternal. Rome has lost its shepherd, and we… We have lost our protector. The Mary Beggars is the entertainment division of Relevant Radio.
