Farewell Address to 2017 Graduating Class: Know Your Worth
Today I want to talk to you about something most of you don’t know or at least forget too often: your worth. You are far more valuable than you give yourself credit for.
How do you know how much something is worth? Is it the asking price? Is it a random guess? No. When it comes down to it, something is worth what will be paid for it. A bottle of water? $1 A fidget spinner? About $10. The Ferrari Marcello will own by the time he is 21? $200000.
Well, if the worth of something is determined by what some one is willing to pay for it, what are you worth? $1, $10, $200000? What would someone pay for you? We could ask your parents. I’m certain everyone of them would say they would do anything for you. They would give their lives to save yours. How does that make you feel to hear that?
What if I told you that you are worth even more than that? Look upon the cross behind me. God, the creator of the mountains, oceans, planets and the entire universe, loves you; enough that he himself came down to earth to die the most agonizing death upon the cross to save your life. You are worth that much. The life of Jesus Christ was paid for you. Do you remember when you were little and you would say to your parents, “I love you this much” with your arms stretched out? When you look upon the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross remember that he was thinking of you. He was and continues to say “I love you this much.”
Let’s bring that back into the context of your everyday lives. If you are worth this much, why do we so often struggle with self-esteem and confidence? We forget our worth. We look at celebrities and think they are worth more than us because they are more beautiful, more talented, smarter, more loved. We look at our classmates and think they are more popular, more cool, more athletic. Every time I see one of you in tears I think to myself “If only you knew your worth. If only you knew how much you are truly loved.”
You are so loved. God loves you. Your parents love you. I and the staff of CCS loves you. Your friends… they are nice but don’t rely on them for determining your worth; they are often as confused and messed up as you are. How do we continue to remember how much we are worth? By spending time with those who love us. Go to Mass, pray, and read Scripture to remind yourself of God’s love. Have dinner with your family, help around the house, and snuggle on the couch while watching a movie to be reminded of your family love. Finally, when High School has got you down, come back to CCS. You will always be welcomed and loved here.
May God bless you all as you make the next step in your journey.