The Saints of God

by Hilda McCarter

“Any person who has contributed to a better life for the world, doesn’t need to be a saint.”

Let me ask you “Can we all agree on this?” It’s a bit puzzling to me. Contributions to a better life are made every day, all over the world. Most go unrecognized and those performing them aren’t doing them for recognition, to be a saint or any other available title. So, join me in exploring some of the discoveries I made while consulting Professor Google and other sources to see how we might look at the statement.

First, let’s remember that in the eyes of the church, all who have been baptized are considered as “saints”, with a small letter “s”. That includes most of us gathered to worship at St. Peter’s. As a Biblical example, St. Paul addressed Christians in Phillipi as “saints” by virtue of being baptized into Christ’s life and death. A similar definition of a small letter ”S” saint states, “It’s a person whose record of transgressions against God’s law has been blotted out from God’s sight for the sake of the Savior in whom he/she trusts”. Again, for us, Holy Baptism. The likelihood of any of us to become a Saint with a capital S is pretty slim. And we would never know! That title is only granted after one has died.

Most Episcopalians know that good old hymn, “I sing a song of the saints of God” That’s the small letter “S” , of course. Mentioned as examples of saints are a doctor, a queen, a shepardess on the green, a soldier, a priest, and so on. And it ends, “ because the saints of God are just folk like me. And I mean to be one too.” The intention is there and the qualifications necessary for being a saint are stated as: loving their Lord, following the right, and doing His will. So, let’s keep on exploring to see what we are expected to do,or be, to further qualify for this designation.

A small book, noted by Google, outlines steps to become a living saint. Though it’s written by a Roman Catholic priest, many of the steps can easily be practiced or adapted for any of us. The title “Humdrum to Holy” , A Step by Step Guide to Living Like a Saint, identifies steps taken to being a saint beyond baptism.

These steps include: Grow in self-knowledge, make a plan for your life, improve your prayer life, increase your patience, cultivate gratitude, root out envy and form a healthy conscience. Another resource lists such things necessary to living a saintly life as - put God first, live modestly, live in the moment, and help others. This has the makings of a Lenten discipline to live all year. Try your own internet search and you’ll find more listings under Qualities of a saint, or How to live a godly life.

So, let’s say that we do all of that, consciously or with little thought. Are we ready then to contribute to a better life for the world we live in or the world at large? That might be a logical outcome. More than likely though, many women, men and even children are already contributing to a better family life, a better neighborhood, city, work place, and a better world. If faith is one of their virtues, then those actions are undergirded and often prompted by the faith experiences in their own lives. Christians can’t claim to own the market on good works, however, as there are those individuals with other value systems who perform good works as well.

The actions of practicing “saints” are often unnoticed, - nor do they seek recognition. Think of the women or men in your family, in your group of friends, or in your church whose actions go unnoticed by those in their world. If you recognize saintly qualities or if you’ve never thought of them as “saints” , now’s the time to do so, tell them, or remember them. In your eyes or in your memories, think of them, pray for them, model your lives after them, and give thanks for their role in your life.

So, to return to the opening statement, this may still be puzzling in light of some research. It’s correct, any person who has contributed to a better life for the world, doesn’t need to be a saint, as a motivator - or as a reward - though it’s likely that his or her lifestyle and values have intertwined as a motivation to good works and thereby to strengthen his/her faith.

A closing thought: You may be a saint in the eyes of someone - live like it!