Thoughts on unworthiness

5^th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)  

Luke 5: 1-11                                                                                        

 

Many years ago when I was studying in Boston, I heard the New England Jesuits relate an anecdote  

concerning old Cardinal Cushing, who was the Archbishop of Boston for 26 years, from 1944 to 1970.      

At a memorable ordination, just as Cardinal Cushing was about to place his hands on the head of a young Jesuit, the pious ordinand began rising from his knees to stop his ordination. He was shaking his head and softly saying, “No, I am not worthy.” 

 

The formidable Cardinal Cushing was not to be put off so easily. He placed his hands on the young man’s shoulders, pushed him back to his knees, and said into his ear, “You fool! No one is!” Promptly the cardinal put his hands onto the young Jesuit’s head and ordained him a priest.  

 

Of course, Cardinal Cushing was right. No one is worthy to be ordained. No one is worthy of God’s grace. No one is worthy of God’s blessings. No one is truly worthy to receive Our Lord’s Body and Blood, soul and divinity in Holy Communion. Echoing the words of the centurion in St. Matthew’s Gospel, we pray:   

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, . . .”               

 

In today’s First Reading, when Isaiah is called, he knows he is unworthy. (Is. 6) 

“I am a man of unclean lips.” 

In the Epistle, when Paul is called, he knows he is unworthy. (1 Cor. 15) 

“I am the least of the apostles . . . I do not even deserve the name.” 

In the Gospel, when Peter is called, he knows that he is unworthy. (Lk. 5) 

“Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 

 

We are all called: We have all received the universal Christian vocation to follow Christ.   

But here’s the essential point: Although we are unworthy, our unworthiness is not an excuse for ignoring Christ’s call.    

Just as Isaiah’s lips were cleansed; just as Paul began fearlessly preaching; just as Peter began catching  

Men; so we, even in our unworthiness, must have the courage to respond and accept the call of Christ.  

 

Before the Gospel the priest silently prays, knowing his unworthiness: “Almighty God, Who cleansed the lips of the Prophet Isaiah with burning coal, cleanse my heart and my lips that I might worthily proclaim your holy Gospel.” Although unworthy, we are all called and cleansed to proclaim the Gospel in the way we live our lives. 

 

So, remember Cardinal Cushing’s brusque words to that foolish young Jesuit, “No one is worthy!” 

But be encouraged that even in our unworthiness, we are called and cleansed – like Isaiah, Paul, and Peter –  

so that the witness of our lives might catch men for Christ. 

 

Fr. Don Saunders, S.J.