September 30, 2006

"The Scorpion is dead" St. Augustine is reported to have said when he heard the news of the death of St. Jerome (345-420), the most famous biblical scholar in the history of the Church. Fluent in Hebrew and Greek, he produced the first Latin edition of the Bible, known as the Vulgate. he also wrote many commentaries on biblical texts, so he is very often portrayed in art as a scholar.

But do not be deceived, this as not a harmless little old man. he was a brutal and ruthless critic. In fact when his protector, Pope Damasus I died, Jerome was driven from the city to spend the rest of his life (and criticism) in exile in Bethlehem where his friends and enemies were not spared his poison pen and tongue. Consequently, artists also portray Jerome as a man doing penance for his sins.

I like Jerome because he is proof that even grumpy old men can become saints and get into heaven. Apparently, there is room for all temperaments in God's kingdom.  One final picture, actually it is a sculpture of Jerome in grief. In Rome he had a benefactor who later became his best friend, a woman named Paula. She followed him to Bethlehem, and financed his monastery and three convents. When she died, crusty, cantankerous old Jerome was said to be inconsolable.