“Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under roof…”

Unworthy? Ummm…

Abraham was not only too old but enjoyed the company of a mistress and it wasn’t tea and crumpets. Abraham’s wife boldly laughed at God, Noah was a drunk. Mary was nervous. Miriam was a gossip. Jacob was a deceiver. Lazarus died and needed to die again. John the Baptist loses his head over a silly pledge. The great King David had his best friend killed so he could marry his wife. What’s your excuse for your unworthiness?

For his done deeds, Judas needs no introduction to belong to this motley group. Moses stuttered and was refused entry into the promised land. What’s your excuse for your unworthiness?

Peter constantly tries to impress Jesus. Thomas gets the adjective “doubting” added before his name until reality faces him in the face. Matthew kept his tax license, just in case. Brothers James and John? They both butted heads about who’s the better person. What’s your excuse for your unworthiness?

It’s an endless list of struggling Biblical believers that looks a lot like a bunch of comedic characters in a TV show that we laugh about and move on to the next comedy. Yet, this is real. This is our faith and hearing about the faith of those who’ve gone before us.

These are our forebears before, during and after Jesus. This is where we enter this comedic, serious drama of life. Before receiving the Body of Christ we admit we are not worthy…who is!? It is exactly our unworthiness that prompts us to prayer and to gather here.

We come to this sacrament as the broken people that we are to be united, once and every time after, to join our lives with the foibles and follies of centuries old people. What wonderful and complex company we keep.

And is the question, in spite of who we are or is the question because of who we are.

A philosopher writes, “What is it that you desire, you who aim at perfection? Give yourselves full scope. Your wishes need have no measure. However much you may desire I can show you how to attain it, even though it be infinite…the present, [this very moment, this very passing minute] is ever filled with infinite treasure, it contains more than you have capacity to hold.”

Pope Francis in “Evangelii Gaudium,” The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew.”

Let’s form that “before receiving Communion statement” not as a statement but as a question. “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under roof?” Come on, Lord. You’ve gotta be kidding me.

Be glad you are not worthy or else there is no other reason for us to be here. Just recall and remember the crazy company we keep.