September 30

Today is the birthday, in 1207, of Rumi, Persian poet and Muslim mystic theologian. His writing emphasizes divine love and mystical union with God.  

Today is the Feast Day of St. Jerome, theologian and translator, who died on this day in 420. Jerome translated the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin, making it available in the common language of his people. 

Today is also the birthday of Ann Jarvis, in 1832, in Virginia. Though she gave birth to at least a dozen children, only four survived to adulthood. Her grief and loss inspired her to form mothers support groups called “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to combat illness and serve the community. During the Civil War, her clubs gave medical service to soldiers regardless of whether they were Union or Confederate. He work for peace inspired her daughter to push for a formal “Mother’s Day.” 

Today is also the birthday, in 1928, of Elie Wiesel, holocaust survivor and peace activist. He spent his life raising awareness of antisemitism and genocide of other people groups in other parts of the world. 

Today is also the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. This was an act of cultural genocide by the United States Government in which tens, or perhaps hundreds of thousands of indigenous children (it is impossible to get an accurate count) were separated from their families in church-run boarding schools. Many children simply disappeared, and the government acknowledgement of burial sites did not happen until 2022.

Reflection: 

Saint Jerome wrote: 

Elie Wiesel’s words are particularly relevant for our time. He said, 

Prayer: God, you say the poor are blessed, yet opulence and injustice are accelerating in our world. Inject into our species the knowledge and understanding that your abundance is meant for all, not just the gatekeepers of wealth. Let all people who claim to worship you take the side of the oppressed.