Around the world, it’s taken for granted that children will receive some form of education. I suspect that most people reading this have been to some type of school, or had a comparably rigorous home education of some sort. So here’s a silly question: If we go to school to learn what we need to, why do we have libraries? After all, didn’t school fill us with everything we’d need? What purpose could those musty old tomes serve?
I’m sure the answer is obvious to you, but keep that thought in mind for a bit.
Today is the Solemnity of All Saints, a.k.a. All Saints’ Day. It’s the day when we celebrate all those who have made it to heaven, working as they do as part of the communion of saints.
To really understand this holy day of obligation, we need to have a firm idea of what the saints are . . . especially those officially declared saints by the Church.
To be recognized as a saint by the Church is not just an honorific bestowed on select departed. It’s not a posthumous “award.” It’s a process, by which learned and prayerful investigators collect evidence that miracles have occurred with the intercession of the dead holy person.
Similarly, we aren’t to look to the saints as we might others who have died. To attend a church named after a certain saint is not the same thing as (say) going to a post office that’s dedicated to an ex-president: “Oh, gee, this person’s name is on a plaque in the foyer. Well, no biggie; I’d better go pick up my mail.”
No, those who are recognized saints were active parts of God’s plan in life, and they continue to be active participants in God’s plan in the afterlife, as part of the communion of saints. They are the continuation of the promises of Christ, as he laid out in the Beatitudes (which are today’s Gospel selection from Matthew): “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.” (They become saints!) “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Those who sacrifice their lives in the name of Christ we call martyrs . . . who, again, are saints.) “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” Part of that reward is continuing to be an active participant in God’s plan, not merely a bystander forced to watch creation from the sidelines. (I wonder if that separation from action is part of what makes purgatory purifying for its inhabitants.)
So, to return to my earlier question: Why do we have libraries if we learn what we need to in school?
Well, the answer is obvious, if expansive: School can’t possibly teach you everything you need for every nuance of life. You might want more info on some topics. Some ideas require specialization. Some ideas aren’t covered thoroughly in school . . . or discussed much at all. Some books provide insight into how what you’ve learned is actually applied in daily life. And so on. (I’m sure you can think of a dozen additional different ways a library can add to your understanding of the world!)
In a similar way, going to church is a great way to learn the basics of our faith, as is attending religious education as a child (or an adult). The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a fantastic resource for those seeking to answer specific questions, or to understand why the Church teaches what it does.
But if you’re looking for how someone lives a life with Christ, the stories of the saints are an invaluable “library” to consult. What does it mean to follow the teachings of Jesus? To sacrifice as he wants us to do? To live with the confidence that the Beatitudes are true promises from God? Look to the “library” of stories we have about the saints.
In their tales, we find stories of repentance (St. Augustine of Hippo), struggle (St. Monica), adventure (St. Joan of Arc), sacrifice (St. Simeon the Stylite), quiet living (St. Therese of Lisieux — “The Little Flower”), and much more. You’ll find stories of humorous saints, somber saints, hard-working saints, quirky saints, intense saints . . . well, you get the idea.
Sure, you can go through life using only what you learned in the “school” of our faith. But there’s a whole “library” available that expands on those platitudes and ideals, and shows you what a life with Christ means in practice. And, perhaps more importantly (at least to me), how much variance there is to living a life with God.
For this All Saints’ Day, consider flipping through a book of saints and seeing who jumps out. Reflect on their stories. If you see an aspect of their lives that intersects with yours, perhaps pray for their intercession for a problem you’re facing, or for continued fortitude as you follow the path that’s similar to their own. For those who don’t have ready access to such a book, consider using the “Saint’s Name Generator” website to give you someone to reflect on.
From the beginning of creation, humanity wasn’t meant to go through this lifelong journey alone. The teachings of the Faith can be made all the more alive and concrete if we look at those who have made the trek before us . . . and, indeed, who can still be part of our travels. Our ultimate goal is to become saints ourselves, and a great way to do that is to follow the footsteps of those who have gone before.
Today’s readings: Rv 7:2-4,9-14; Ps 24:1BC-2,3-4AB,5-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12A
