All Saints of Year C
October 2010
Do you know that the New Testament mentions the word ‘saints’ sixty two times.
They were not talking about what we call ‘canonised’ saints today. They were not talking about popes, bishops, priests or founders of religious orders or congregations.
Any of these did not exist as such at that time.
They were not even talking about the Apostles.
They were talking about the likes of you. They were referring to all Christians; to those who believe in the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. They were referring to those who knew they were sinners and struggled as best they could to live like Jesus Christ. They were referring to those who were compassionate towards one another most of the time, to those who were helpful towards each other most of the time, to those who were forgiving most of the time, to those who were generous towards the needy most of the time.
Then the term ‘saint’ got hijacked, became official, and was granted only to the higher echelons of the clergy, to founders of religious orders, and to ’holy’ men and women ‘of noble birth.’
But there are a few of what was originally regarded as ‘a saint’ who managed to slip through. Ordinary unassuming people who would have been shocked if they knew whey would be regarded as saints. People like Mary the mother of Jesus of Nazareth who never did anything of any political or social significance other than be a good wife and mother. Joseph who was merely a good husband and father. Francis of Assisi who remained a humble brother (the lowest form of ecclesial life) all his life, Theresa of Lisieux who spent all of her short adult life in an enclosed convent and Camillus de Lellis who is patron saint of nurses. His mother died while he was still a child, his father was a mercenary soldier. As a consequence Camillus grew up neglected. Camillus joined the Venetian army while still only a youth. After his regiment was disbanded in 1574 Camillus worked in a hospital for incurables, however his aggressive nature and excessive gambling led to his dismissal. He later rejoined the Venetian army and fought in a war against the Turks. After the war he returned to the hospital in Rome from which he had been dismissed, he became a nurse and later director of the hospital.
He obviously learned a thing or two from the Turks.
For me saints are people who give of themselves in the awkward, messy, everyday things of life. People who sacrifice themselves day in and day out for their marriage partners, their children, their neighbours. People who neither receive nor expect praise or acclaim.
Many of our ‘official’ saints are of the ‘chief executive officer’ type who achieved success and recognition in this life. The type who would drive over you with a bulldozer if you got in their way.
In the Gospel of Matthew we read;
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.”
“Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
So in the next life, when I look up towards the top table at the Lords Banquet, I will not be surprised to see a lot of you up there.