Church Fathers, Day 194: St. Jerome says submit to the teaching of the Church

Submit to the teaching of the Church

The book of Tobit is one of the Old Testament books left out of the Jewish canon; yet although St. Jerome tended to agree with the Jews, he believed it was more important to submit to the decision of the bishops, as he says here in a letter accompanying his translation of the book. One man can’t set Church doctrine aside, no matter how smart he is.

Jerome, to Cromatius and Heliodorus, bishops in the Lord: Salutations.

I never cease to wonder at how constantly you ask me for things. Now you demand that I translate a book written in Chaldean into Latin: the book of Tobit, which the Hebrews leave out of the catalog of divine Scriptures, placing it instead in the books they call the Hagiographa, or Writings.

I have done what you asked, but not by my own efforts. The Hebrew stud­ies rebuke and fault us for translating this into Latin contrary to their canon. But I imagine it is better to offend the opinion of the Pharisees and be subject to the commands of bishops.

So I have gone on as well as I could. Because the Chaldean language is close to Hebrew, I found someone who spoke both languages very well. I set aside a day for the work, and whatever he spoke in Hebrew, I translated that into Latin and had a scribe I brought along write it down.

Your prayers will be payment enough for this work when, by your grace, I have heard that I have succeeded in fulfilling your request worthily.

–St. Jerome, Prologue to Tobit

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

When I personally disagree with the Church’s teaching on some matter, do I have the humility to submit to the wisdom of the whole Church?

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, give me ears to hear your truth, so that I may glorify you without ceasing in your holy Church.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.