Youth Sunday Homily - Eva Aguilar, Graduating High School Senior

Good morning, as I thought about what I wanted to say today I

thought about all my memories here over the years with everyone at St.

Thomas, and my connection to God here at the church and outside of

church. And as I move onto my next chapter of my life after high

school, I thought about how he is always with me and as I always hear

him helping me as I go onto the next step, just like many of you here

today have helped me as well. And because of all my support I have

become the woman I am today because of you all and because of God. 

There were so many things throughout the readings that stood out to me realizing that even during hard times God is always with me. In this Sunday's psalm it says “with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains.” I thought about this in a deeper meaning. How he is my helper and how he has helped me throughout high school in my classes with friends and all my extracurriculars, through my soccer games and practices, and even through my college applications, but he stood more out to me as I waited to see if I got in or not. And for those still wondering and asking me where I am going I still have not fully committed, I am waiting to hear back from the JCB apprenticeship. I realized that God has helped me triumph through my obstacles. And even with the help of people here at St. Thomas, my friends and of course my family have helped as well. 

As the Lord tests us more and more everyday putting obstacles to see if we can overcome them, I know I am able to because of him being there with me as I go on to my future as well as my family, you all here as well as my friends. This Sunday's gospel reading we see that Simon peter is put to a test by the lord to see if he still loves him by challenging him and every time he does it the lord asks him if he still loves him and his answer is yes. With the challenges I have faced I have questioned it as well just like Simon Peter did but in the end no matter my challenge I know I can overcome just like Simon Peter because God is always there for us. Or even with you all around me has shown your support to me and how I know I can overcome anything because of everyone around me. Thank you for all the love and support.

Amen