9. Saints & Angels

It may be of interest to note that in other cultures and religions, there are also instances of veneration for the dead. Several Oriental faiths practice ancestor worship and the ancients had various superstitions regarding ghosts and/or immortals who were particularly blessed by the gods and given a place alongside them. Many Japanese have a custom whereby no one is really dead as long as his name is remembered. As quaint as many of these practices may seem, all fall short of the ancient teaching regarding the saints. The gift of salvation and immortality is universally offered and the person himself is promised restoration, not merely remembrance. The community of the saints stand forth telling us that the Easter message of Christ is not a one time event, but rather one which touches everyone who faithfully follows God's call to faith, hope, and love. Translated sometimes as charity, this love is dynamic and in action, it overflows into Christian service. The saints are not elevated as minor gods. Rather, they are men and women no different from ourselves in the order of nature. If there is any difference, then it is in the order of grace whereby every stain and tendency to sin has been purged away. They are with God. They are filled with God-- his grace-- his presence. They are where we hope to go. They are what we pray to become.

Several years ago, a young girl was asked in church, "Who are the saints?" She looked up at the massive stained-glass windows and pointing to the figures portrayed there, responded, "The saints are those who let the light shine through." In her innocence, her simple answer may have surpassed all the great tomes on the subject. She was precisely right. Like glass, they do allow the light to shine through. Saints reflect Christ, who is the Light of the World. They brighten our way with heavenly light, warmth, and witness-- so that we might not stumble in the darkness. They do not stand in the way of Jesus or blot out his special role as Mediator to the Father. If they did, they would be the very opposite of what they have become. Only in sin is the Light of Christ blurred. We see in the saints other paths to walk in the one way of Christ. We see in them examples of holiness. We see in them the priest, lay, and religious consecrated to Christ. We see in them the laity answering an extraordinary call in the ordinary chores of existence. They are a part of us, members of the same Church, brothers and sisters in Christ. They live a life beyond life. They continue to love and to pray for those they cared for while in the world. They are men and women whose stories touch our own, reminding us that we can be saints, too.

Many films and television programs have portrayed angels as the beloved dead. Actually, while it is possible that saintly human souls will be commissioned to join the messengers of God, angels as such are ontologically different creatures from ourselves. They may have taken human form or some variation thereof, but they have never possessed real flesh. They are pure spirits and can be catalogued as persons, but they have never been human. In this sense, all the enthusiasts of aliens from outer space might find the angels a fitting subject for study-- if they want to explore something real. They have both intellect and will, as well as certain angelic powers. Along with the saints in the human family, they give eternal glory to God. Their presence among us has always been for guidance and protection. They embody the will of God and his powerful presence among us. As with ourselves, there was a rebellion among these creatures call to love and to serve God before all else. Those who tarried in carrying out the divine will, in not loving well enough, became distorted and inward looking. The greatest among them was himself named "Light-Bearer" and he confused his light for that of Christ's. Pride brought him down and later he would tempt our first parents with his own sin. His name was Lucifer or Satan. Living outside time and with a level of conscious thought more resolute than our own, those who rebelled and who were cast out of heaven. One of the great angels in this spiritual battle against the fallen angels or demons was St. Michael. He is the guardian protector of the holy Church. Unlike our own, the choice of the demons was unalterable. Those angels faithful to God, choosing the one who is the Greatest Good, would always be happy with God: seeing, loving, and adoring him forever. Another important angel from heaven's throng was Gabriel. This angelic messenger brought the news of God's love to a young virgin named Mary. From the beginning, they have been involved with our story of salvation. They have wanted to share their happiness with us. They are still God's messengers, praying for us and guarding us from harm.