November when we Remember the Saints
O, when the saints go marching in,
O, when the saints go marching in.
Lord, I want to be in that number
when the saints go marching in.
This begs the question “What is a saint?” “What qualifies you to be a saint” If we think of the Martyrs – St. Edward Bamber, St. Margaret Clitheroe, Maximillian Kolbe they all gave their life for Jesus and this is a straight road to heaven – For no greater gift can you give than lay down your life for another. They are definitely Saints! There are other saints too, people like Mother Tereasa, Carlos Acutis, St Ignatius of Loyola, St Francis (all of them). These saints lived exceptional lives.
However, we also celebrate All Souls and I see these people as saints. All those who have lived good life’s down here and have gone before us into heaven. All our parents and grandparents, members of our families and all those “holy” people who gave us such examples of how to follow Jesus.
We are all called to be saints – to come to perfection. I was listening to a reflection today based on John the Baptist and King Herod. Herod used to like to listen to John. He was interested in the truth but could not commit to it under the pressure of Herodias – his wife.
When/are we like Herod? Do we have the courage of our convictions? When we hear the truth of the gospel we must put our trust and belief in God and be prepared for outside pressure from those close to us, pressure to resist God and to “eat, drink and be merry.” Herod could not lose face with his courtiers and guests. He wanted the party to continue. However, the real party is the wedding feast in heaven. This is the one I am aiming to be at. Many people today don’t reject Christianity. They reject Jesus because they fear what others will think, secondary school children know this pressure all too well. Some adults know it too – the ones aiming to be saints. It is not hard to follow Jesus at Church it is harder to follow Him in the workplace or at a family gathering or on social media. St Augustine talks of two cities built by two loves – love of God and love of self. Herod chose himself and John chose God. St Augustine reminds us that every decision ultimately answers one question – whom do I love most?
Each and every decision we make, as St. Augustine tells us, is either a step on the road to heaven – to sainthood or a step away from it. As Jesus tell us, go by the narrow road because the wide one leads to perdition.
Prayer is the key, I think. Prayer is what keeps us close to Jesus and if we are close to Him then hopefully we will choose to step close to Him. In a recent discussion on what it means to be holy I said that, “Holiness is being the best version of me, that I can be.” That is true for all of us - being the best “Ursula” (insert your own name) I can be in following Jesus.
“No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us”. Jerry Bridges
Wishing you all the best on your journey to holiness and becoming a saint. See you in heaven!