The month concludes with Saint Jerome, whose life was profoundly dedicated to Sacred Scripture, and with readings that demand humility before God and decisiveness in following Christ. Job stands before the mystery of God’s greatness and recognizes the limits of human understanding. The Gospel then presents people who want to follow Jesus but repeatedly postpone discipleship: one wants security, another wants to delay the call, and another wants to look backward. Saint Jerome’s life unites these themes. His devotion to Scripture was not an academic exercise detached from conversion; he sought to know God’s word so that he might live and proclaim it faithfully.

The Catechism teaches that Christianity is not based on a private reading of Scripture detached from the Church. Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Church’s Magisterium are inseparably connected in handing on God’s revelation (CCC 74–95). Saint Jerome’s contribution to biblical scholarship reminds Catholics that careful study of Scripture serves faith. The Word of God is living and powerful, but it must be interpreted within the faith of the Church. Christ’s command to follow him also demands more than admiration. Discipleship involves a real reorientation of life, priorities, and attachments (CCC 520–521, 1691–1698).

Psalm 119 repeatedly celebrates God’s word as the light for the believer’s path. Hebrews 4:12 speaks of God’s word as living and active, while 2 Timothy 3:14–17 teaches the formative power of Scripture. Luke 24:25–32 shows the risen Christ interpreting Scripture in light of himself, and John 1:1–18 identifies Christ as the eternal Word. The Eucharist joins Word and Sacrament: Christ speaks to his people and then gives himself as their food. As September ends, Saint Jerome leaves us with a fitting challenge: do not merely possess Scripture—allow it to possess you. The disciple must not continually look backward or postpone obedience. Having heard Christ’s word, we are called to place our hand upon the plow and follow him faithfully.