“Who are the Saints?”

By

Robert John Colon

1. Who are the saints? The saints are people like us (1). Pope Benedict XVI tells us: they have not “fallen from Heaven” (2). As we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1), let us ponder the words of Pope Benedict XVI:  to be a Saint demands neither extraordinary actions or works nor the ownership of extraordinary charisms (3).

2. According to Pope Benedict XVI: being a Saint means living near to God, to live in His household. And this is the calling of us all, firmly reaffirmed by the Second Vatican Council (4).

3. Is this an easy calling? Actually, holiness requires a continuous effort, but it is possible for all because, instead of a human effort, it is first of all a gift of God, thrice Holy (cf. Isaiah 6: 3) (5). Alas, each form of holiness always goes through the way of self-denial (6). Self-denial has to do with self-control. According to a book of Pope John Paul II, the practice of self-control is attended by a feeling of misfortune, a feeling of loss (7). As we strive for holiness and practice self-control, we can think: “I would like to ditch this way of living. Life is so dreary this way”.

4. If we feel that way or if we feel some other way, we should turn to the Lord Jesus, the compassionate one, whose presence soothes our suffering in the hour of trial (8). Christian holiness is caused by intimate union with Him and, in Him, with the most Blessed Trinity (9). We can remain united to Him by listening to His Word and actively sharing in the Eucharistic Feast (10).

5. Pope Benedict XVI tells us: by sharing the Eucharistic Bread with our sisters and brothers of the Church community, we feel driven to deliver the love of Christ into charitable service towards our brothers and sisters (11). Let us help our brothers and sisters in poverty. The worst poverty is not to know Jesus. As a result, we must help others to discover God in the kind face of Jesus (12). With a view to World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney (Australia), I would like to invite the youth who are part of the Catholic Church to help young people who do not know Jesus. Let us pray for these young people and strive to be Christ's faithful witnesses among them.

6. Let us return to the question asked earlier. Who are the saints? The saints are our friends (13). Let us ask for the intercession of the saints, especially Mary, “Queen of all saints” (Litany of Loreto). May their intercession sustain us at every phase of our journey towards the Kingdom of Heaven.

October 30, 2007

NOTES:

(1) Cf. Benedict XVI, General Audience, 31 January 2007.

(2) Cf. Benedict XVI, General Audience, 31 January 2007.

(3) Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily, 1 November 2006.

(4) Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily, 1 November 2006.

(5) Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily, 1 November 2006.

(6) Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily, 1 November 2006.

(7) Cf. Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II), Love and Responsibility (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1993), page 199.

(8) Cf. Way of the Cross 2003, Meditations by Pope John Paul II, the Eighth Station.

(9) Cf. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 428.

(10) Cf. John Paul II, General Audience, 30 March 2005.

(11) Cf. Benedict XVI, Message for the 22^nd World Youth Day.

(12) Cf. Benedict XVI, Message for Lent 2006.

(13) Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily, 1 November 2006.