Saints

TUES., NOV. 29, 1988, 7:00 AM
FARM, STUDY

One interesting difference among the various “branches” of My Body, the Christian Church, is the position given to saints… even Saints. In the traditions in which you were raised and to which you were drawn there is little if any attention given to saints. The term is used occasionally, but typically as merely a form or with some discomfort. That is, there may be a reference to St. Paul or St. Christopher, but merely as a title, not one of personal reverence. Discomfort comes with the affirmation that “we are all saints”… that all Christians deserve this title, from the least of those who acknowledge me, as Jesus, as Lord.

Thus, in churches in the more “democratic” tradition there is reluctance to use the term for everyone, because everyone doesn’t deserve it. Then there is equal reluctance to use it for a few, setting them apart as “superior” Christians, even as their life actions seem deserving. The concept of grace clouds the issue, for grace can raise a lowly sinner to that status of a life-long saint, just for acceptance, in the heart and spirit.

Now those in My Church of Latter Day Saints have a tradition of comfort in referring to one another, in their baptized flock, as saints. This “sainthood” is bestowed for acceptance of their “latter day” revelations, and thus they would be less comfortable in referring to you, as a Presbyterian, as a saint.

In contrast, those in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican traditions are comfortable in referring to certain designated persons, from Biblical times to “sometime past” as Saints. They are slow to bestow this title and tend to be more comfortable with saints who lived, on earth, many years ago. The standard seems to be that what one did as a Christian has to been in the historical record and must prevail, over time, as being of special significance. It is an interesting human trait that gives more honor and glory to those who have lived and functioned in the past than to any contemporary person.

Remember the Scriptures, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” and “But isn’t this Joseph’s son, just one of us?” And, of course, the incident when I, as Jesus, read from Isaiah, the equivalent of a saint, and then declared that I was the personification of that prophesy in their time was an example of violent reaction to “present day holiness.”

Those who acknowledge saints tend to see them as part of a “holy family”, who, like a human family, can give help when such is needed. There has to be some sense of hierarchy… a feeling that a priest… a bishop… a pope… is more apt to get God’s ear than you are. Saints are those assumed to be even closer and can get the message to God more quickly and with more authority.

A variation of this is that, yes, God can hear your supplication, but if a saint is offering the same prayer the volume and force is greater, and God pays more attention. It’s like having someone in a “high place” accompanying you and “vouching for you.”

Some saints are perceived as helpers and protectors, even in certain kinds of situations. In this sense they are like angels, helping out directly rather than just assisting in prayers. Some saints, in angelic form, certainly do give help to humans in the earth, though not as often as some folks believe. Know that I have no objection to this trust in saints, as long as the perspective is one of a “holy family.”

I have told you many times and in many ways that I have ordained My Church as a Body with very diverse parts. I have talked repeatedly of different spiritual paths, with love for the extremes as well as for those in midstream. Your path is one of direct relationship with Me, the Holy Spirit, in which the potential help of saints is irrelevant and unnecessary. You must love and respect those who feel the need of saints because they are not “close enough” themselves and probably never will be. Getting help from others is a wonderful aspect of human and spiritual life, and yet it is not highly valued by some.