February 9, 2025

5^thSunday in Ordinary Time  (C)

“The Unworthy, Worthy Three…and Me!

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

Today’s readings present the divine calling of Isaiah, Peter, and Paul. Isaiah’s calling came in the glorious vision of heaven; St. Peter’s through an astounding catch of fish; St. Paul’s through a stunning light that knocked him to the ground. They were men of different temperaments, each with their own unique gifts, yet they all shared a common response to the Lord’s call—a profound sense of humility and unworthiness! Isaiah cries out, “Woe to me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips.” St. Paul deemed himself “the least of the apostles…not fit to be called an apostle.” St. Peter falls to his knees imploring the Lord to depart from him, a sinful man.” Having witnessed what was beyond reason, description, or explanation—something only God could have done—they could only have a strong sense of their littleness and sinfulness.
 
We find this attitude throughout the Scriptures when the Lord calls someone to a special mission. There is not a single instance where one responds by praising God for finally realizing just how prepared, how ready, how worthy and deserving they are to be called by God. Not one says, “Well, Lord, it’s about time you realized how wise and capable I am.”
 
It is only natural, it is only right, that like Isaiah, Peter and Paul, our initial reaction to the power and majesty of God is a sense of unworthiness and sin. This is why we begin the Mass with an “Act of Penitence” where we call to mind our sins and seek pardon as we prepare to enter into the sacred mysteries. But this can be a problem if we were to remain there, focusing, dwelling on our sins, measuring ourselves against others, and letting our blunders define us. When this happens, we may find ourselves hesitant to approach God in prayer or in Holy Communion.
 
Just before Communion, we repeat the words of the Centurion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.” But we also add, “But say only the word, and my soul shall be healed.” It is certainly right that we should acknowledge our unworthiness, but as the readings today demonstrate, Isaiah, Peter, and Paul were not left to wallow in their sense of sin or unworthiness. Neither are we! We have been given the means of restoration and new beginnings. The door of the confessional is always open.
 
Amazingly, God entrusted our holy trio with a mission despite their inadequacies. He purged the sin of Isaiah. St. Peter was told not to be afraid. St. Paul declared that God’s grace was with him and that it had not been insufficient. Their sins and failings did not disqualify them from serving the Lord.
 
Should feelings of unworthiness ever rise within us, should we come to those moments when we feel that our sins are so grievous that God will not forgive them or look with mercy upon us, we must remind ourselves that we are still God’s friends—even more—God’s beloved.
 
I like the advice of St. Teresa of Avila: “The devil will try to upset you by accusing you of being unworthy of the blessings that you have received. Simply remain cheerful and do your best to ignore the devil’s nagging. If need be, even laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Satan, the epitome of sin itself, accuses you of unworthiness! When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!”
 
St. John Climacus also provides a helpful counsel: "To repent is not to look downwards at my own shortcomings, but upwards at God's love, it is not to look backwards with self-reproach but forward with trustfulness, it is to see not what I have failed to be, but what by the grace of Christ I might yet become."
 
Isaiah, Peter, and Paul understood this well. May the Lord help us understand it as well.