The Saints

The story of Lazarus raised by Jesus is the story of the saints. Lazarus does not raise himself but is brought back to life by Jesus. Likewise, the saints do not save themselves, nor do they save the world. They are nurtured and mercifully healed in the presence of God. They cling to Christ’s love.

In the New Testament, the word saint means “holy one” and refers to followers of Christ who have “died” to self and been “raised” in love with Christ. “Saint” is a Christian term but does not have to be an exclusive term. Naturally, there are faithful members of other faith traditions as well.

Saints are holy, not because of what they think, say, or do, but because of who they are. Created in God’s image, their holiness comes from the spark of God’s holiness within them. Now since they are human and tend to distractedly go their own way, saints are prone to forget their place in God’s mercy and behave in unfaithful ways. God’s mercy calls to them, but regardless, they remain forever beloved, as we are reminded in Isaiah 25, “And the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth.”

Jesus Christ’s life and death reveals God’s love without reservation for all of humanity. As beloved human beings, saints are holy, connected, children of God. Nothing they think, do, or fail to do, nor any external force can separate them from God’s love. By that mercy they are free to grow in the joy of practicing love. They are saved by love, set free to love.

May we embrace our sainthood, grounded in the mercy and abundance of Christ who provides all we need, in love. Amen.