Daily Retreat 11/01/07
2007 Nov 1 Thu:ALL SAINTS S. Holy Day of Obligation.
Rv 7:2-4. 9-14/ Ps 23(24):1b-2. 3-4ab. 5-6/ 1 Jn 3:1-3/ Mt 5:1-12a
From today’s readings: “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.... Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face.... Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.... Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven....”
The Communion of Saints
In the familiar Apostle’s Creed, the “Communion of Saints” is one of the articles of faith professed. However, many people have forgotten (or never learned) the full meaning of that phrase, so today’s feast of All Saints is a most appropriate occasion to review this article of faith.
In this context, “Communion” is not primarily understood as referring to the sacrament of the Eucharist; instead, the word here bears its more generic meaning of “union with” or “close intimate relation.”
Likewise, in this context, the word “saint” (“sanctus” in Latin) is not limited to its precise definition of “a person in Heaven with God”; rather, the word here is understood in the more general sense of “holy.” So this includes not just the saints (“holy ones”) in Heaven, but also the saints (“holy ones”) on earth. This wider usage is common in the New Testament, where all faithful members of the Mystical Body of Christ are called saints (e.g., Acts 9:13, Eph. 1:1, Phil 1:1, etc.).
In fact, the Communion of Saints refers not just to this “union” and “interconnectedness” of the “holy ones” in Heaven and on Earth, but even to the “holy things” as well, the interchange and sharing of faith, sacraments, prayers, etc. Of course, in common English usage “saint” never refers to “a holy thing,” but this is just a weakness of translation; perhaps the best English rendering would be simply “Communion of the Holy,” since that term encompasses better the notion of union of holy things among the holy ones in Heaven, the holy ones on Earth, and the holy souls in Purgatory as well (more on that tomorrow).
Rv 7:2-4. 9-14/ Ps 23(24):1b-2. 3-4ab. 5-6/ 1 Jn 3:1-3/ Mt 5:1-12a
From today’s readings: “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.... Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face.... Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.... Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven....”
The Communion of Saints
In the familiar Apostle’s Creed, the “Communion of Saints” is one of the articles of faith professed. However, many people have forgotten (or never learned) the full meaning of that phrase, so today’s feast of All Saints is a most appropriate occasion to review this article of faith.
In this context, “Communion” is not primarily understood as referring to the sacrament of the Eucharist; instead, the word here bears its more generic meaning of “union with” or “close intimate relation.”
Likewise, in this context, the word “saint” (“sanctus” in Latin) is not limited to its precise definition of “a person in Heaven with God”; rather, the word here is understood in the more general sense of “holy.” So this includes not just the saints (“holy ones”) in Heaven, but also the saints (“holy ones”) on earth. This wider usage is common in the New Testament, where all faithful members of the Mystical Body of Christ are called saints (e.g., Acts 9:13, Eph. 1:1, Phil 1:1, etc.).
In fact, the Communion of Saints refers not just to this “union” and “interconnectedness” of the “holy ones” in Heaven and on Earth, but even to the “holy things” as well, the interchange and sharing of faith, sacraments, prayers, etc. Of course, in common English usage “saint” never refers to “a holy thing,” but this is just a weakness of translation; perhaps the best English rendering would be simply “Communion of the Holy,” since that term encompasses better the notion of union of holy things among the holy ones in Heaven, the holy ones on Earth, and the holy souls in Purgatory as well (more on that tomorrow).
posted by FrPitstick | 10/31/2007
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