In the first part of this three-part series titled “A Saint Today,” I delved into the idea that living a saintly life means communion with God. I draw a similar sentiment in the exploration of the concept of holiness.
To be sure, the term “holy” has a more complex meaning in the Bible than the term “saints.” However, there are indicators that help us understand that holiness in a person’s life is always one’s relationship with God. Just like the saints are those born anew in Christ, so the holy is anyone affiliated with God. It means aligning oneself with the Divine. No one possesses holiness independently.
Holiness is fundamentally an attribute of God, and human holiness stems from communion with God. The holy are constantly aware of their reliance on God. This reliance goes beyond mental acknowledgment. It reflects in how they live their lives, demonstrating a firm belief that their existence, accomplishments, and potential intertwine with God. Independence from God and pride, which fuels such independence, are clear indicators of distancing from holiness.
Some Biblical Interpretative Examples
Lyons’ (2016) study of the biblical notions of holiness sheds light. By comparing various interpretative traditions from the Bible, Ancient Near East, and contemporary thoughts, Lyons concluded that holiness primarily relates to five concepts: belonging to God, proximity to the Divine, consecration to the Divine, belonging to the Divine realm, and not necessarily synonymous with moral purity. Holiness is distinct from purity.
From the biblical instances in the Old and New Testaments, as richly highlighted in Lyon’s study, we can see that holiness is intrinsically tied to God. To be holy means to be a part of God’s life, and God’s people are holy because they belong to Him. The strength of their holiness as rational people is their commitment to belong to the Lord.
Rituals and Holiness
This perspective is also echoed when we look at the ritual elements (religious ceremonial aspects) of holiness in the Bible. Crocker’s (2016) study reveals that despite the various ways holiness is expressed in Old Testament ceremonies, all of them are connected to the idea of belonging to God. From God’s distinct attribute of holiness (Isaiah 6:3-5) to everything associated with Him, the common thread is the relationship with the Divine.
Similarly, religious practices, sacred objects, and holy sites are deemed holy when dedicated to God. The moral conduct of the people, the days set apart for God, and the worship rituals in the houses (or places) of worship are holy when they reflect our communion with God. Thus, holiness is not just a personal journey; it’s a communal experience interconnected with our relationships with others in a world intrinsically tied to God.
Thus, we can live a holy life because we are a part of God’s creation. God provides us countless opportunities to connect with Him, even in a wounded world. Through these moments, we find sacred spaces of communion, becoming vivid expressions of God’s holiness in the world and letting God’s light shine through the darkness.
Examples from a Couple of Theologian Saints
Saint Thomas Aquinas, often called the Angelic Doctor, dives deep into the mysteries of the mind, heart, and spirit. He has a moving insight into this conversation. In his work, “The Communion of Saints,” Aquinas talks about the unique qualities of saints and those who share a deep connection with them. He sees this connection as a bond with Christ and a unity in our thoughts that mirrors the divine order.
Saints don’t just think about unity in isolation; they live it. Their thoughts, feelings, and actions aim to connect with God through Christ. They share common beliefs, love one another, and are united in their feelings. Such is an expression of holiness. Imagine a tight-knit family bound together by love. Similarly, the love of Christ binds the saints. They also share divine wisdom, a strong sense of love (or charity), and the peace of God in their hearts.
From Aquinas, we learn that saints show qualities like humility, patience, and charity. But these are just the outcomes of a holy life, not the core of it. It’s like a tree; the fruit it bears is the result of its health, not the reason for it. In the same way, being good or virtuous isn’t what makes someone holy; instead, these virtues come out because the person is already becoming holy. A true saint is someone transformed by God, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.
Ultimate Reward of Holiness
Being close to God, saints show kindness and other good traits. And the ultimate reward? Basking in God’s glory and living forever in His presence. Isn’t it what the Blessed Lord describes in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) as the state of blessing, the ultimate of which is the glory of God. Aquinas believes that God’s light shines away all darkness, making us pure and dedicated to Him.
In another of his works, “The Portion of the Saints,” Aquinas talks about how Christ fills us with holiness. He speaks of the gifts God gives through Christ. One of these gifts is like a treasure which God hands to us through generations: eternal life with God. Aquinas also mentions how God rescues us from evil and leads us towards the light. It’s like a hero in a story saving someone from danger and guiding them to safety. This idea connects to a passage in the Bible where it talks about moving from darkness to light.
Other spiritual writers, like Saint John Henry Newman, have similar thoughts. For Newman, being a saint means being part of a big, loving family of God and showing Christ’s love to others. (See Sermon XXXII, “The Feast of All Saints: Use of Saints’ Days”).
What, then, does it mean to be a Saint Today?
Find out in the third part of this reflection.
