The word ‘saint’ is bandied around quite a bit, but do we really understand what we mean by the term and any implications that it brings. From the Free Dictionary we may define a ‘saint’ as:
- (Ecclesiastical Terms) a person who after death is formally recognized by a Christian Church, esp the Roman Catholic Church, as having attained, through holy deeds or behaviour, a specially exalted place in heaven and the right to veneration
- a person of exceptional holiness or goodness
- (Bible) (plural) Bible the collective body of those who are righteous in God’s sight.
[Middle English seint, from Old French saint, from Late Latin sānctus, from Latin, holy, past participle of sancīre, to consecrate]
And can we add:
- A large dog associated with a barrel of brandy.
We are probably all familiar with the concept of the first definition with St Patrick, St Christopher and St Peter coming to mind, and we have even used the second example when speaking of people who have done something especially gratifying for us (such as Uncle Fred finding our car keys). The third example is in the New Testament where we read of ‘The Saints’, but are these ‘saints’ the same as the first two types?
When we consider that the Scriptures define ‘saints’ as those who are righteous in God’s sight, the question arises, “who is righteous”? Righteousness is defined as being in right-standing or proper relationship. According to our understanding, the sacrifice of Jesus removed the Sin which separated humanity from God’s presence in our minds. Thus all of us are in a rightful position with God, and are therefore all ‘saints’, though it may be true that few of us reflect a ‘saintly’ disposition. The good news is that some do act ‘saintly’, Mother Teresa of Calcutta definitely comes to mind. But are such people to be worshiped and to be called upon for their heavenly posthumous assistance? Do we need them to act as intermediaries for us with God?
[The following in italics are extracts from “Lives of the Saints” by Richard P. McBrien.]
Holy Ones:
Saints are holy people. Because God alone is holy, to be a saint is to participate in, and to be an image of, the holiness of God. “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy” (Lev 19:2). . . . The biblical notion of holiness, rooted in the Old Testament, involves a “being set apart” by God from what is profane in order to belong in a new and special way to God. This setting apart, or consecration, can apply not only to persons, such as priests and religious, but also to places, like a temple or land, or to things.
We understand that based on Genesis 1:26, we were ‘set apart’ from the rest of creation, therefore, all of humanity is ‘holy’ as only humanity was made in His image and likeness. As for places or things being ‘holy’, we can only conclude that the definition of being ‘set apart’ still holds, but the question arises, who did the setting apart; God or man?
For Jesus, the Reign of God – and, therefore, a life of holiness – is open in principle to everyone.
As stated, all of humanity is ‘holy’ and therefore, all live a ‘holy’ life, though many prefer to live a life more in tune with ungodliness.
The term “holy” (Gk. hagios) was applied to the disciples of Christ even during their earthly lives. Were they ‘holy’ for religious reasons, or merely noted as being different (that is ‘set apart’), probably a bit of both, indeed they were often considered heretics, outlaws and a threat to society! . . . Gradually the “holy ones” became more commonly referred to as the “saints”. This was likely to be when Late Latin became the dominant language and not because of a change of status.
