Communion of Saints


 The Luke 11:9 series: Communion of Saints

 


What the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches us


All Saints' Day, celebrated annually on November 1st, honours all saints, known and unknown, who have attained a place in the Kingdom of Heaven, enjoying the beatific vision of direct communion with God (CCC 946-962). 


The Church honours and venerates the saints through practices like feasts, devotions, and relics (CCC 1171, CCC 1184), it does not worship them since worship is a distinction due to the Triune God alone (CCC 828, CCC 829). The saints serve as models of holiness and offer an example of how to live a life of faith. They lived according to Christ's teachings and can inspire others to live virtuous lives. Their examples help Catholics to grow in grace, charity, and devotion to God.

The Saints received the Gift of the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven


St Paul in his letter, Romans 8:15-18 spoke about the eternal reward for holy saints, saying, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."



St Peter in I Peter 1:13-25, reinforced this eternal reward for living a holy life pleasing to God, saying, 'Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.'


In Heaven, these saints, both living and dead, transcend time and space give praise to God and are ready to intercede on behalf who seek their help. 


Psalm 30:4-5 says: Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.


Love God above all and love your neighbour as yourself


All Saints' Feast invites Christians to reflect on their own path to holiness and to honour the lives of those who have lived exemplary lives of faith. Holiness is a grace bestowed by God on the faithful who truly follow his commandments, 'Love your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbour as yourself" [Luke 10:27] 



These commandments are also found in Mark 12:28-34, 'Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.'


Gift of the Holy Spirit


The saints were not perfect, but they were holy enough to recognise and give up their wayward ways, pray fervently for grace, renew their souls by receiving the sacraments often, and refresh their spirits through Eucharistic Adoration ... to follow the commandments of God thereby receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit that allowed them to change the lives of countless people by their selfless service, inspirational words, devoutness and piety - leaving us with a blueprint for our own journey of faith.

The communion of Saints serves not only as examples but also as powerful intercessors, encouraging the faithful to seek guidance and support in our own spiritual journeys. By submitting ourselves to the service of God's holy purpose, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who will guide us in accomplishing our purpose on earth


St Paul in his letter to the Ephesians 4:11-13 says, "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ"


Footnote

This series of posts, which I call, 'The Luke 11:9 Series', is an attempt to verbalise various aspects of my Catholic faith as revealed in Scripture; topics include Destination Heaven; Golden ticket; God's Grace; Seeds of Love; Mary, did you know?; Feel the love of God; Love your neighbour as yourself, The Good Shepherd; Receive the Sacraments often; Eucharistic Adoration; Communion of Saints; How to pray; Role-playing Scripture; Mary, Help of Christians; Understanding suffering; Forgiveness; Gratitude, the life-changing attitude; Life after death; One Body of Christ; and Hearts ablaze. I sincerely hope it helps you in your faith journey. Always turn to the Holy Spirit when you search for answers to your questions, because Luke 11:9 says, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

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