Today, on this Solemnity of All Saints, I’m truly reminded of what I am called to be. How I’m supposed to live. How to overcome trials in my life. And how, in all that I do, I should give glory to God.
I’m reminded on this day that the Body of Christ is one huge family that transcends all race, age, and time. I’m as much a sister of people living now, as I am all of the saints who have served Christ for the last 2000 years.
I’m reminded of who the true “litmus test” is for my life. We can get into so much trouble, falling helplessly into sin, and worse—not even considering it a sin—when we begin to compare our lives/behavior/morality on those around us. It’s so easy to say, “Well at least I’m not as bad as that guy,” or “Everyone else does it, they’re fine, and they’re still good people.” But when we compare ourselves only to sinners, we just blend in and get lost. The Saints (both the known Saints and those unknown saints) remind us to compare ourselves only to Jesus. How much worse we look when standing in His light! The brighter the light is in a room, the more dirt, dust, and imperfections you can see.
But I’ve always found it very hard and, at times, intangible to try and make my life measure up to Jesus. I fall so short; my sins seem so great; it seems impossible. But that is precisely why I am so thankful that the Church has always taught great devotion to the Saints. These were people just like you and me, but they were able to overcome themselves and devote their lives to God. They had the same struggles, doubts, and insecurities that we do. These are the great role models that we can learn from and model our lives after. As St. Paul says, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
We are confident that these individuals are in the Heavenly realm of glory, seeing God face-to-face. These Saints are not dead just because they have passed from this world, for Jesus said that, “He is not a God of the dead, but of the living.” These Saints are more alive than we are! So one huge objection from non-Catholics regarding Saints is, “Why do you pray to dead people?” But if one believes that these people are truly dead, then they don’t believe in the Resurrection.
So yes, pray to these Saints! Ask them for prayers and help. It is absolutely no different asking a Saint to pray for you than it is to ask a friend, family member, or pastor. We are all united in the Spirit, so the Saints hear our prayers. Praying to Saints takes nothing away from our devotion and worship to Christ, Who is the only Mediator to God the Father. They are our friends and family and they want to help us, as much as we want their help. With their lives purified and their love of God complete in Heaven, why would we think that their “job” is done? Why would we think that once we’ve gotten to Heaven, that we forget about everyone below us? To me, that doesn’t sound like Heaven. Eye has not seen the most unfathomable peace, joy, and glory of Heaven, and if/when we get there someday, wouldn’t we in our perfected states, want everyone to join us? Wouldn’t we want to do everything we can to bring our other brothers and sisters to Eternal Joy? The Saints devoted their lives to God and His will, and His will is that none should perish. Their work is not done until the end of the world, so when someone offers their hand to help, it is a grace to accept that help.
"They will be happy to pray for you, for like us they have been feeble, they have been tempted, they have been miserable. But they had recourse to God. God pardoned their offenses and today they sing His mercies." —St. Theodora Guerin
“I shall spend my Heaven in doing good upon earth.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
So today I am reminded of all those extended, helpful hands from the Saints. I am reminded that even normal humans can do God’s will on earth, despite our sinfulness. I am reminded of the full extent of the Body of Christ, from age to age.
It’s a great honor to be called a “saint.” Strive for it.
Our Blessed Mother, pray for us!
St. Joseph, pray for us!
St. Helena, pray for us!
St. Brigid, pray for us!
St. Boniface, pray for us!
St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!
St. Gerard, pray for us!
St. Faustina, pray for us!
Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us!
Blessed John Paul II, pray for us!
