What is a Saint?

Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”

- Yesterday’s Gospel reading for Mass

The Daily Video Reflection for June 7, 2016 from the USCCB website had a lovely little story told by Fr. Conrad Stachowiak. This Fr. works with deaf Catholics. 

Watch the video if you have time. I will try to get the story right. It relates to what it means to be salt and light in this world. All Christians are called to be salt and light. In fact, we are all called to be saints. That is God’s goal for all of us, to be like Christ. That is what a saint is - someone who is like Jesus. Some have the special designation of Saint because of the extraordinary way that the grace of God was reflected in their lives. 

Yes, Protestants have trouble with that designation. However, I know from my many years as an Evangelical Protestant that even in my circles there are men and women, young and old, who are revered. There are some Christians in all groups who are held up as examples of what it means to follow Christ. 

In fact, some Protestant groups even call those special people “saints.” Their lives are an encouragement to all of us. 

Now for the story. 

There was a teacher at a Catholic school for the deaf who took her 3rd grade class to a cathedral.  The children were fascinated with all they saw, especially in the stained glass windows. One child asked the teacher who those people depicted in the windows were. She simply answered that those were saints. 

The next day in class she asked her students questions about their field trip. She asked, “Who can tell me what a saint is?”  The little boy who had asked the question the day before raised his hand and answered, “A saint is a person who lets the light shine through.”

We are all called to this, to allow the light and love of Christ shine through us. Fr. Conrad reminds us that we need to lay aside our arrogance so that the light of Christ can shine through us. People need to see Christ in us. 

What a great little story and application of this Gospel passage!

Find this reflection and others at the USCCB website.