Homily 496 | Trinity Sunday | Memorial Day
Our beloved war dead remind us that our country is worth dying for. The crucifix reminds us that God thinks you are worth dying for. Both are “worth the pain.”
Vale la pena is a Spanish phrase loosely translated, “It’s worth it.” It literally says, “It’s worth the pain.” How do we know how valuable something is? Often we look at what it costs. We are willing to give a lot for something we think is of great value. We tend to value something highly if it costs us a lot.
On this Memorial Day weekend, we are reminded that our country is of great value. Does our freedom vale la pena? Thousands of men and women who have died in the service of our country have said with the gift of their lives that indeed our country, our freedom, is “worth the pain.”
Whenever we look at a crucifix, we are also met with an incredible statement about worth and value. When Jesus looks down from the cross and sees you and me in our brokenness and all of this messed up world, he says to us, “Vale la pena; It’s worth the pain.” He looks at you individually and says to you, “You’re worth it.” You can know your great value because of what it cost to free you. God died for you. There is no greater price.
So let us be thankful for those who have died in battle defending our worldly freedom. But let us be especially grateful for the gift of eternal freedom given to us by Jesus. Our beloved war dead remind us that this country is worth the pain, even death. The crucifix, with all its pain and suffering, reminds us that God thinks you’re worth it. You are of such value that God died for you. Vale la pena.