At the present time when faith is weakened by worldliness, it is not
surprising that even believers reflect ideas about the eternal life
of the saints that are spiritually inconsistent and theologically silly.
Our brothers and sisters, the saints, live a life of total charity with
God and one another, toward us on earth and toward the holy souls, who
are still on the way. It is a mystery how any being, even God in eternal
life, can think of our limited and time-bound world, but we know from
the Scriptures that indeed God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-watches
over us. We also know that the saints, led by our Blessed Mother, pray
for this sad world, where good and evil are locked in a duel for souls.
What we do know about the saints is that their whole existence is filled
with the paschal mystery, that is, the loving worship of Christ in His
humanity as He offers to the Godhead the worship of all creation sanctified
by His loving and obedient sacrifice on the cross. At this juncture
of salvation history the saints in heaven (and the holy souls in Purgatory)
are without their bodies. The Church Fathers teach that at the end of
the world we will all be reunited with our bodies. The glory of the
saints will be greater and complete, and the pains of the lost will
be more acute. Let us pray that the latter will be very few and that
we will not be among them. In the meantime we see from Scripture that
the saints and angels all seem very concerned about the battle for souls
going on in this valley of tears. Every day we should ask the intercession
of our heavenly friends just as we ask good people on earth to pray
for us. We should study the lives of the saints and holy people and
try to imitate their love of God and service to others.
Quotation for Meditation
From a sermon by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux for All
Saints' Day (as found in Christian Prayer, pp. 1729-1730).
Why should our praise and glorification, or even the
celebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they
care about earthly honors when their heavenly Father honors them by
fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation
mean to them? The saints have no need of honor from us; neither does
our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if
we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when
I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning.
Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses,
in us above all else a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable
in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with
the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the
ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs,
the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short,
we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. . . .
Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We
must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and
set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are
longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those
who look for our coming to intercede for us. . . .
When we commemorate the saints, we are inflamed with
another yearning: that Christ our life may also appear to us as he appeared
to them and that we may one day share in his glory. Until then we see
him, not as he is, but as he became for our sake. He is our head, crowned
not with glory, but with the thorns of our sins. As members of that
head, crowned with thorns, we should be ashamed to live in luxury; his
purple robes are a mockery rather than an honor. When Christ comes again,
his death shall no longer be proclaimed, and we shall know that we also
have died, and that our life is hidden with him. The glorious head of
the Church will appear and his glorified members will shine in splendor
with him, when he forms this lowly body anew into such glory as belongs
to himself, its head.
Quiet Time and Then Discussion
Questions for Meditation
1. Do I at least occasionally think of the saints and
ask their intercession?
2. Do I have any favorite saints and do I know why they
are saints?
3. Who is my favorite saint?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are given glory by Your saints,
brothers and sisters to us, poor suffering souls. Even in eternal glory
they think of us. Hear the prayers of the canonized saints, but also
those of multitudes of uncanonized saints. With Your loving help and
forgiveness we will someday be with them. Amen.