Do you remember the words from the old liturgy in the last Methodist hymnal: there was a prayer of humble access just before receiving the elements, the Cup and Bread, of communion? “We do not presume to come this thy table…. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table.” And as an introduction, the prayer of confession spoken said, “We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time have most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine majesty.”

I took these words and sentiments quite seriously growing up; I still do but perhaps with a broader perspective than what I had as a child. As a child and a young adult, I took these words very personally never thinking that anyone else might be so bad.

I believe many folk are inhibited from partaking in Holy Communion or becoming a part of church because of this great feeling, inward knowing of unworthiness. I believe that many do not really hear God or the call of Jesus because we hear much more loudly the voices saying, “You're not good enough.”

Some of us heard that as a child, some of us hear that when a college letter of rejection is received. Some of us hear it when the job applications fall on blind eyes or deaf ears. Some of us hear it as lay offs happen. And some of us hear it at home from a spouse. “What good are you?” “You are not worthy enough to ….”

Certainly in his writing of his call to prophecy that we heard early as a call to worship, to speak for God, Isaiah expresses awe in the face of God. The first thing that comes out of Isaiah's mouth is about how he is unworthy: his tongue carried too many words that stung, too many untruths. He spoke evil.

The external signals that play as triggers for us set in motion a whole series of questions and thoughts of self-doubt. On a certain level, none of us is worthy but we really know that and say to ourselves it is just me, I am the only one, who is the unworthy one. If only you knew how bad I am. The signals we receive bear witness to that knowledge. We hope that no one finds out the truth about us that we just plain are not worthy. We cover up the unworthiness by working harder, doing more and better or just being busier. We cover up our unworthiness with dulling drink or drug or media. We cover up the sense of unworthiness by living in relationships that are unhealthy and seem to make real what we suspect underneath it all anyway. We live in relationships where we loose ourselves and our self-respect; unable to speak up for ourselves because we know that in a sense we are unworthy. Some of us get harmed further both physically and emotionally. We forget that if we're talking about worthiness, none of us is worthy. Each and every single one us shares in the fact that we have gone astray from our relationship with God; we all share in that there are parts of ourselves that are broken. It is not just you or me or her or him; it is all of us. When facing God or receiving the gifts of life itself, none of us is worthy.

But each and every single one of us is loved, totally, unconditionally . Each one of us is welcomed back into relationship. Is that not what the Gospel of John is saying? For God so loved the world…God gave God's Son so people might be saved, might have whole lives, might know of love that runs so deep and so strongly, might know of a love that is pervasive to life itself.

If you look at the ones who are called into relationship with God in the biblical story, each one has an excuse, each one is unworthy for one reason or another. Nevertheless, that one is called. Isaiah is forgiven his transgressions with the burning coal put to his mouth. Stuttering Moses is put to speaking. Doubting Thomas comes to believe. Denying Peter is made the church's rock. The Samaritan woman runs away rejoicing that she has met her Savior.

Each and every one of us, no matter our worthiness, is invited to the table to find that love of God. Each and every one of us no matter how much we have put roadblocks in our relationship with God is invited into ministry for Christ. Each and every one of us is invited to hear the call that beckons us each day.

I believe church is for those who are unworthy: those who have breached God's loving relationship! Sometimes I think we get it backwards and we think church is only for the good folk!

God calls to Isaiah asking, ‘Whom Shall I send?' Having received the singing love of God, Isaiah at last answers, “Here am I?”

From our Gospel, we hear God sends Jesus. Jesus says, ‘Not my will but yours.'

Can we hear, can we answer, “Yes”, to God calling us to the Table, calling us to live and love?”