Homily for the Memorial of St. Jerome

Admiration can be fleeting: here one day and gone the next. Today's Gospel passage refers to a time when all were full of admiration for everything Jesus did. He had just healed a boy who suffered from seizures; all were amazed at what God had done through Him. But their support would soon wither, and Jesus knew He would suffer the same fate as many prophets before Him. So, at the peak of his fame, He said, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men."

Admiration meant little to Jesus. His driving force was to do God's will and to complete His selfless work. He felt compelled to go to Jerusalem, as dangerous as it was, because the people needed to hear His message, even if it led to His death.

What motivates us? Our faith calls us to make the priorities of Jesus our own, to be about God the Father's business, and to do God's will with the opportunities we have. This will bring not just the momentary pleasure of applause but the more profound joy that comes from living the real purpose of our lives.