Hi, this is Kylie. Thank you all for listening to Lent with the Saints and for sending in your questions. I loved hearing from you. I will be answering three of your questions in a bonus episode this weekend. This special episode comes out on Sunday at LentWithTheSaints.com or wherever you listen to the podcast. I left the comforts of Rome behind to chase knowledge in foreign lands. After two years of traveling, they stop in Aquileia, a bustling port city where fierce debates on faith and Christianity roar around them. As questions sharpen and tempers flare, Jerome's intellect is pushed to its limits. Can Jerome finally channel his intellect toward a higher purpose? Or will his quick wit continue to be his greatest adversary? The Saints Adventures of Faith and Courage Saint Jerome Episode 2 A Sharp Tongue Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com Oh, stop! Right there! Who rendered that scroll you were holding into Latin? No, not again. It is from Brother Flavian's collection. And who taught Flavian to translate Greek texts into Latin? Was he careful enough to capture the meaning of the verses? Or was he dull and ignorant, mechanically translating word by word? What? From what I know, he's a respected scholar, Jerome. But I don't know him in person. Precisely the problem. You rely on the flawed work of others, perpetuating their imprecisions. And how do you know it's a flawed translation, Jerome? You don't see it, right? How could you, given the poverty of your understanding? What is that supposed to mean? Greek is a more graceful and comprehensive language. Translators of the scripture shouldn't just translate word for word like school bull is. They need to explain the force and sense of each word. Faulty translations obscure the truth. Jerome, this isn't a lecture hall. Sit down. When we don't take great care to preserve the richness of the language and the depth of meaning of the words, we open the door to all kinds of confusion. Jerome, we are here to reflect on God's word, not to wage a war over translation. Give me that scroll. Ab inizio fuitrozio... No, no, no, no, this is all wrong. Stop it. How dare you! Are you mad? Stop! That was Brother Flavian's scroll. I'm doing him a favor. Enough. I came here to study the Bible, not to be lectured on translations. This is a bad idea. Run away then, cowards. The pursuit of truth requires courage. You clearly lack... No, please don't go. Run back to your comfortable ignorance. Hide in the fog of imprecise translations. I can't believe he did it again. Well, at least he's not arguing about Virgil anymore. He's arguing about Scripture. That's an improvement, isn't it? I've had enough of this. Jerome, Pinoces, Rufinas. A word, please. It would be best if you didn't attend our next gathering. Are you casting us out? For defending the integrity of sacred texts? Good evening, gentlemen. You could have handled that better, Jerome. You're right, Pinoces. I should have been even more harsh with those fools. Do you even hear yourself? You mocked their understanding. You humiliated them. You destroyed their scroll, Jerome. You think I'm wrong? I think you're impossible. Two years, Jerome. Two years we've traveled and you're still the same arrogant know-it-all. Well, you promised me that we'd gain wisdom by leaving Rome. So far, all I see around us is stupidity. That's it. I'm leaving. Rufinas, please. No. I'm finished watching him alienate everyone we meet. You'll end up alone and with no friends, Jerome. Mark my words. Is this formidable mind of mine truly serving a purpose? Or merely causing strife? What did you say? Nothing. Let's go back to the inn. Do you think Rufinas will come back? Well... Rinoces? Rinoces of Striden? Yes. A message for you. Oh, no. What is it? Bad news? My father, he's fallen ill. How bad? Bad enough. I... I have to return to Striden. When? Right away. Will you come back? I don't know, Jerome. I honestly don't know. But you can come with me back to Striden. You know I'm not meant to live in a small town? I thought as much. Huh. First Rufinas storms off now this. Perhaps God himself is telling you it's time to listen, rather than speak, my friend. I can't waste time listening to fools. Oh, Jerome! You have so much to share. But you have to control your temper, or you'll end up a lonely and angry man. Right to me, Jerome. Let me know how you are. How you're doing. I will. I promise. Do you need help to pack? Yes. I could use some help. And the spirit was stirring above the waters. Look out, young men! Get your nose out of your strolls! The spirit above waters. Could it be? Watch yourself! Look, you'll get run over! Yes! Already at that time, baptism was being foreshadowed. Already in Genesis? God was showing us his plan for us. Can this be possible? Move! Move! Look out! My scrolls! You fool! Are you trying to get yourself killed? Better to lose your scrolls than your life, young man. I was nearly run over by that chariot. You saved my life. You're strong, though you're so lean. Not bad for an old man. And a monk, eh? A monk? I thought you were... What? A beggar? Well, let me repay you. Will you join me for dinner? I insist. Dinner? A small token of my appreciation. My treat. Though I don't even know your name. Malcus. My name is Malcus. So, tell me, Malcus. How did you come to me? How did you come to be a wandering monk? It's a long story, Jerome. A long story. When I was young, I decided to become a monk. To devote myself to God, living in quiet solitude deep within the desert. Our days were filled with prayer, scripture and silent reflection. Far from the world's earthly concerns. But one day raiders attacked our monastery. Bedouins. They took me, sold me as a slave. And my master forced me to marry another slave. But she too had devoted her life to God. So we pretended to be husband and wife while living as brother and sister. And your master? He never suspected? God protected us. We prayed together, fasted together, kept our faith alive in secret. Then one day we saw our chance to escape. We fled into the desert. But our master pursued us. We hid in the cave, certain we would be found. But then... A lion appeared. A lion? Like Christ himself, the lion of Judah coming to save us. The lion attacked our pursuer, and we were free. But why take such risk for her? Why not escape alone? Because true faith isn't lived alone, Jerome. We supported each other through our darkest days. We suffered together, prayed together. Like... like true brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes. And after witnessing her virtue, her courage, I loved her still more. Not as the world understands love, but as one soul loves another in God. Your story... it's incredible. It's worthy of being written down. And you would write it? Of course! I'll make sure everyone reads your story. You'll teach others more than any philosopher or scholar. Oh, thank you, Jerome, but true wisdom. It's not just found in scrolls. It is found in knowing God and living according to His will. True knowledge comes through closeness to Christ. Closeness to Christ. Some lessons have to be encountered in the heart, not grasped by the mind. My dear friend, Buenosus. I hope this letter finds you and your father well. Much has changed since you left Aquilea. I have been reflecting on many things. On the words of a remarkable man I recently met. On the purpose of knowledge. And I have come to a decision. A decision that I believe will alter the course of my life. Hi, this is Peter Atkinson from The Mary Beggars. Tune in to Episode 3, A Wounded Heart, to hear the next installment of Saint Jerome. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thestainspodcast.com. The Mary Beggars is the entertainment division of Relevant Radio.
