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When I was preparing a homily for a reconciliation service, I searched for a message that would both challenge and console. I found a story that I was able to use - then and now - at www.coffeeintherain.com.
It was entitled, "Crumpled and Priceless," and the author is unknown. It's a story about a $20 bill.
I held one up and asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands shot up quickly. Then I crumpled it up and crushed it in the palm of my hand. I displayed the badly wrinkled bill and asked, "Who is interested in this bill now?" All the participants waved their hands more vigorously. Finally, I dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with my shoe and asked, "Now who wants this dirty, crumpled bill?" A sea of 900 hands greeted me.
No matter what happened to the $20 bill, it didn't lose its value. Each of you has a gift much more valuable than the crispest $20 bill.
Many of you are like a crisp, brand-new $20 bill, fresh from the mint or the ATM. You continue to face challenges that are bold, blunt and powerful. You have faced the challenges presented by a permissive society and you have still made good decisions. Even though it hasn't been easy and not always popular, you have kept your focus and your faith. You are worthwhile and valuable.
Some of you have been wrinkled or crumpled. You may have drifted away from the values that you had when you were younger. Mistakes and regret are now part of your history. You can often feel dirty and ashamed of something that happened. You need and deserve powerful and frequent reminders that you are still worthwhile and valuable. The example of the $20 bill is a reminder that just because you may make a mistake, that doesn't mean you are a mistake.
Jesus tells you that no one condemns you. "Go [and] from now on do not sin anymore," he says in the Gospel of John (8:11). Some of you have been ground into the dirt by circumstances beyond your control. You have good, strong values but someone hurt you, abused you or took advantage of you. Because of unfortunate situations, usually not your fault, you may feel worthless.
But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased...
You are still priceless.