Worth depends on who is measuring and the criteria used. The world measures by wealth, education, physical attributes, status, skills, etc. Measured this way, majority of people will be worth little. But God measures differently. In today’s gospel Jesus revealed that John was the greatest man ever born of a woman. John was not a prince nor a king. He was not rich, famous, or powerful. His diet and dressing were unconventional. But he was a man who believed in the Messiah, and committed his life to this belief, wholeheartedly. So, our value is measured by our relationship with God. Today, we celebrate St. John of the Cross. He too totally committed his life to Christ as a religious. Despite persecution and imprisonment, he labored tirelessly for years, helping St. Theresa of Avila to establish a reformed Carmelite order. He too fulfilled his mission on earth and now enjoys the glory of heaven. Our values may never rise much in the eyes of the world, but with God, it is in our hands to decide how high or low we want it. 

Prayer: Lord, may we worry less about our worth before humans, and work hard to increase our worth in your eyes. Amen.