Homily for the Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul

Today's Gospel recounts a moment when everyone was amazed by Jesus. He had just healed a boy who suffered from seizures, and the crowd was in awe of what God had accomplished through Him. However, Jesus understood that this support would not last. He knew that He would face the same fate as many prophets before Him. Even at the height of His popularity, He stated, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men."

For Jesus, admiration held little value. His primary motivation was to fulfill God's will and complete His selfless mission. Despite the danger, He felt compelled to go to Jerusalem because He believed that the people needed to hear His message, even if it meant His own death.

Our faith calls us to adopt Jesus' priorities as our own, to engage in God's work, and to pursue His will with the opportunities we have. This commitment brings not just the fleeting pleasure of applause but the more profound joy that comes from living out the true purpose of our lives.