Sunday, November 8, 2015

All Saints Day, Cycle B - November 1, 2015

All Saints Day
Cycle B
November 1, 2015        4:00pm, 8:00am and 5:00pm
Saint Margaret Parish, Bel Air


Why the Saints?

This past summer, a number of parents of other Christian traditions – not-Catholics – inquired about enrolling their children in Saint Margaret School.

These parents are interested in a faith-based school for their children.  And some of them asked a good question. 

They asked: What is our Catholic devotion to the saints all about?  Do we in effect worship them as we worship Jesus? 

The Focus Is Jesus

This question led us to think about what we believe and it gave us a good opportunity to share this. 

To some people, it might seem that our devotion to the saints takes us away from Jesus.  After all, Jesus and he alone is the son of God and the Savior of humanity. 

The interesting thing is that the saints probably understood this more than anyone else.  They really focused on Jesus and on living the gospel.

So, we believe that God in his wisdom has given us the saints to help us on the journey of life.  Instead of taking our attention away from Jesus, they actually help us to stay centered on him.

One of our Catholic theologians, Sister Elizabeth Johnson, says that in our Catholic tradition, there are two models or ways of relating to the saints.  She calls these the “patronage model” and the “companionship model.”

The Patronage Model

In the “patronage model,” we bring our needs or requests to a saint and ask the saint to help us.

The idea is that since the saints are now close to God in heaven and have no more needs themselves, it is natural to ask them for help.  We are still praying to God.

We are simply asking the saints to intercede for us.  It is something like asking an older brother or sister to help us get what we want from our parents.

So, Saint Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer and we might pray to him if we are having treatments or surgery for cancer.  Saint Maria Goretti is a patron saint that our youth could ask to help them to do the right thing when peer pressure is tempting them to do something else.

Saint Ann is the patron saint of mothers and mothers might pray to her for their children.  And, of course, Saint Anthony is the patron saint for finding things that are lost and there is that favorite little rhyming prayer:
“Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony,
please come around.
Something is lost
and cannot be found.”

The Companionship Model

Then the other way of relating to the saints is the “companionship model.”

The idea is that the saints are simply our friends.  They have gone ahead of us and are now supporting us spiritually in what we call the communion of saints.

This is the relationship we have with all of God’s people, even those who have passed on from this earth.  We believe that the saints are our companions in life and are really a help to us.

For example, I regularly look to Saint Ignatius of Loyola for guidance in my prayer and in discerning what God wants me to do when things are not clear.  Women may look to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton who was both a devoted wife and mother and a leader in education.

Men may look to Saint Joseph as an example of both strength and gentleness.  Any of us could look to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta as a companion to keep us going when things feel dark and difficult. 

Conclusion

I want to close with one recommendation.

Try to identify a saint who inspires you or whom you can turn to in times of trouble.  Maybe read something about the saints in a book or on the Internet. 

And then, consider buying a small statue or picture of the saint you choose for yourself.  This can be very inexpensive and you can buy this in a Catholic bookstore or on the Internet. 

And then keep this image of the saint in your home, maybe in your bedroom.

And allow that saint to keep you focused on Jesus and to be with you through life – I think this will be enriching for your faith.