Fr Agustinus Sutiono

Who are the saints?  There are developments of meanings. A saint is “a specific canonized Christian,” also “one of the elect, a member of the body of Christ, one consecrated or set apart to the service of God,” a moral or virtuous person, one who is pure or upright in heart and life, also in an Old Testament sense “a pre-Christian prophet.” According to the Encyclopaedia Britanica, a saint is a holy person who is known for his “heroic sanctity” and who is thought to be in heaven. They include prophets, martyrs, kings and queens, missionaries, widows, theologians, parents, nuns and priests, and “everyday people” who dedicated their lives to the loving pursuit of God”. They are persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation because of having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. For us, they are spiritual guides, patrons, mentors, inspirations and examples of the faith.

Considering the definitions that we have, everyone is eligible to become a saint. Because of the baptism and confirmation, we are institutionally and sacramentally declared to become children of God. God is Holy, so are His childreen too. Being Holy is not the priviledge of the few. If we recognise ourselves to be sinful, the truth says that all saints had a history of life which was marked by sins. We remembered some famous Saints like Saints Paul of Tarsus, Agustin, Camillus de Lellis, Matthew, Disma, Pelagia, Mary of Egypt. They were famous for their conversion. It means that every saint has a past. On the other hand, every sinner has a future. Everyone is loved. God always expects our returns any time we fall to sin. Remember the stories about the prodigal son, Mary of Magdala, the woman of Samaria, Zacheus, one of the criminals crucified together with Jesus. God does not want the death of the sinners. Instead, through Jesus, God wants to give them life.

God has given and planted His spirit within us. His love has been poured out within our heart. Our capability to attentively hear and  listen to His voice in our heart is the key. Therefore, the call to sanctity and to become a saint has been given to us. Not only the call. From the Gospel reading that we heard today, we know that Jesus revealed the way to sanctity. There are eight ways. They are formulated in eight words of congratulations. These eight are summarised into one, that is in Jesus. He said, I am the way. The way to sanctity is the way that leads to oneness with the Father. This call is not an imposibility. Every action of love directed to our fellow creature of God is directed to God Himself. Every insult directed to others is addressed automatically to God. A saintly life is a fruit of day to day practice of love, mercy, faith, charity and justice.