Homily for the Memorial of St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

 

          A long time ago, in a diocese far, far away, I lived in a nice little house in Arlington. One of my greatest pleasures about owning a home was mowing the lawn and working in the yard on the weekend. The first time I came home on break after entering seminary, I was faced with the reality of what I had left given up. Someone else was living in my house. I had I no longer had a place to call home - no place to lay my head! I had to scramble to find a place to stay during Christmas break. This pseudo-homelessness to which I had consented, albeit semi-consciously bothered me for a few months until I spent time in prayer with today’s Gospel reading. I came to understand that wherever I was at any particular time, there also was my home.

In the Gospel today, Jesus interacted first with an unnamed person who is a potential follower. This person approached Jesus and made the bold offer “I will follow you wherever you go.” This is in marked contrast to the other two people in the reading who placed conditions on becoming a disciple. Jesus did not turn to the person with a smile and a hug and say “All right, buddy! Let’s do this!” Not at all. Instead he challenged the perhaps idealistic and naïve statement - the Lord warned the person about what their unconditional offer meant.

          To follow the Lord, to embark upon the journey that is the way of the disciple is a grand adventure. But it is not a path of security or guaranteed well-being. Jesus warns that to follow him is to be constantly on the road along a lifelong journey. Discipleship is not for one who seeks power, wealth, or false security, hiding behind the guise of religion. Jesus did not preach a prosperity Gospel! To be a disciple is to make sacrifices. Following Jesus Christ unconditionally calls for self-denial and putting God before anything else.

          St. Francis de Sales wrote “It sometimes happens that being inspired to do much we consent not to the whole inspiration but only to some part of it.” As we prepare now to receive our Eucharistic Lord, let us reflect on the Gospel to welcome the cost of discipleship. May the inspiration of the Holy Spirit enable us to follow Jesus Christ unconditionally, wherever he leads us. Hopefully, the rectory he leads me to in a few months will have a yard I can mow.

St. Jerome, Patron of Students and Scholars, Pray for Us!