Episode 1324: Are we ever worthy?

Luke 5:
"And they came and filled both the ships, so that they were almost sinking. Which when Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus's knees, saying: Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was wholly astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of fishes which they had taken; and so were also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's Partners. And Jesus with to Simon: Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And having brought their ships to land, leaving all things, they followed him."

So are we ever really worthy?
The statement "I am not worthy" is often used in Catholic liturgy and prayers, particularly during the Mass. This phrase is derived from the words of the Roman centurion in the New Testament (Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:6-7) who said to Jesus, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant will be healed." It is a humble acknowledgment of human unworthiness before the greatness and holiness of God.

Catholics use this phrase to express a deep sense of humility, recognizing their own limitations, weaknesses, and sins in the presence of the Divine. It is not a statement of worthlessness or self-deprecation but rather a recognition of the vast difference between the perfection of God and the imperfections of humanity. By acknowledging their unworthiness, Catholics express their reliance on God's mercy and grace.

This sentiment is often followed by a prayer for God's mercy and forgiveness, emphasizing the belief that it is only through God's grace that one can approach Him. It is a way of recognizing that salvation and union with God are not earned by human merit but are received as a gift from God.

Overall, the phrase "I am not worthy" reflects a humble disposition and an acknowledgment of the need for God's mercy and forgiveness in the life of a Catholic believer.
So why was it that Peter and his assistants took in so many fishes after they had labored all night in vain?
Because at first they trusted in themselves, and did not throw out their nets in the name of God, relying on His blessing and assistance. St. Ambrose "This example proves how vain and fruitless is presumptuous confidence, and how powerful, on the contrary, is humility, since those who had previously labored without success, filled their nets at the word of the Redeemer." So our inability requires that we work only with God, that is, with confidence in His help, and with the intention of working only for love of Him, and for His honor. If we do this, the blessing of the Lord will not be wanting.
Refuse the concept of the Protestant work ethic that it is by my hands and my means that God blesses. That is very presumpous.

What was represented by the greatest of all cathces of fishes?
St. Ambrose "The word of truth which, so to speaks forms the network of gospel preaching, with which the successors of the apostles, the bishops and priests, draw souls from the darkness of error to the light of truth, and from the depths of the abyss to raise them to heaven."
What is meant by the apostles' calling, to their partners for help?
We are instructed by this that we should assist the preachers of the gospel, the priests, in the conversion of sinners, by prayer, fasting, alms-deeds, and other good works, especially by good example, for this is a most meritorious work. (James V. 20.)
Let him know, that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins

Why did Jesus choose poor and illiterate fishermen to be His apostles?
To show that the founding and propagating of the holy Catholic Church is not the work of man, but of God; for how could it be possible, without the evident assistance of God, that poor, illiterate fishermen could overthrow proud paganism, and bring nations to receive the doctrine of the crucified God-Man Jesus, who to the Jews was an abomination, to the Gentiles a folly! Also to demonstrate that truly no man whether rich or poor – educated or uneducated are worthy of God.

So do good intentions make us more worthy?

Master, we have labored all the night, and have taken nothing, but at thy word I will let down the net. (Luke V. 5.)

There are many people who by a special, but loving decree of God, seem to be born only for a miserable life, and who, with all this, can have no hope of a reward in the next world, because they, do not avail themselves (by a good intention) of the miseries which God gives them as a ladder to heaven.

In what does a good intention consist?
In performing all our works, even the smallest, and in offering all our thoughts and words in the name of God, that is, for His honor and in accordance with His most holy will; that we receive all sufferings and afflictions cheerfully from His hand, and offer them in union with the passion of Jesus.

How should we make a good intention?
In the morning we should offer to the Lord all our thoughts, words, and deeds, all our crosses and afflictions, and all our steps during the day:
• as a sacrifice of homage, to pay to Him the service, honor and adoration due Him;
• a sacrifice of thanksgiving for graces received;
• a sacrifice of propitiation to render some satisfaction to divine justice for our own sins and the sins of others;
• a sacrifice of impetration to obtain, through the merits of Christ, new graces and gifts for ourselves and others.
We must not forget, however, in making a good intention, to unite all our works with the merits of Jesus, by which alone they acquire worth and merit before God, and we must guard against impatience or sinful deeds by which we lose the merit of the good intention made in the morning, for a good intention cannot exist with. sin. It is also very useful to place all our actions into the wounds of Jesus, offering them to Him by the hands of His Blessed Mother, and it is advisable frequently to renew our good intention during t the day, by making use of these or similar words: "For the love of Thee, O Lord! For Thy sake! All in honor of God! With the intention I made this morning!" Endeavor to instruct the ignorant, how to make a good intention, and thus share in their good works.
What benefit is derived from a good intention?
St. Anselm says: "It renders all works, even the smallest golden and divine;"
and St. Gregory: "It makes all thoughts, words and deeds meritorious, and causes us to expect in the hour of death, like the wise virgins, the heavenly bridegroom, Jesus, and be richly rewarded by Him."

Aquinas emphasized the fundamental understanding that humans, due to their finite nature and inherent limitations, are inherently unworthy of God's infinite perfection. He taught that God's greatness and holiness are beyond human comprehension and that no human effort or merit could ever truly make someone worthy of God's presence or love.

Aquinas focused on the idea of grace, which he viewed as the supernatural gift of God's divine favor and assistance. He argued that it is only through God's grace that humans can be elevated and made capable of attaining union with God. According to Aquinas, God's grace is freely given and not something that can be earned or deserved.

In Aquinas' teachings, the emphasis is placed on the transformative power of God's grace, which enables humans to participate in the divine life and ultimately attain their fulfillment in God. He believed that it is through God's grace that humans are enabled to respond to God's call, grow in holiness, and achieve union with Him.

In summary, while St. Thomas Aquinas did not specifically address the concept of being "worthy of God," his writings emphasize the importance of God's grace in elevating and transforming human beings, enabling them to participate in the divine life despite their inherent unworthiness.