You cannot sit on two chairs at once. -Dutch Proverb

“Therefore, since so great a cloud of witnesses surrounds us, … let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12

 Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants have varying views on who to call a saint and whether to capitalize the S. I have serious doubts if this matter creates a barrier to eternity. 

Sainthood may bring to mind plaster statues of perfect people gazing upward with halos. We struggle to understand how some Biblical figures’ exemplary lives compare with our ordinary lives. 

At the end of the Book of Romans, there is a list of over 30 names of people who were, generally speaking, friends of Paul. He lists them in the letter to provide updates, ask for prayers, and convey greetings to the people, making it known they are essential to his ministry.  Lowercase saints.

Luke is a Saint-Uppercase but not an apostle. He is also a lowercase saint. This could be fun: Mother Teresa, Uppercase Saint. Grandma, lowercase, but in my book, Uppercase. 

Faith is best understood when we observe it in men’s and women’s lives. Biblical truths become more evident when they are lived—from generation to generation—saints and Saints.  

 What will the “S” rule makers do with me? 

Celebrate All Saints Day within your faith tradition. Upper or lower case S, remember those who went before you. Recall a faithful loved one and the beauty of their hope. Give thanks to God for their influence. Be mindful that the next generation is looking at us—not as perfect plaster, but as ordinary saints believing in our Savior Jesus. Uppercase S.  

Prayer: 

Almighty God, You have knit together in fellowship Believers in the Body of your Son. Give us the grace to follow your s/Saints in godly living so that we may come to the joy you have prepared for those who love you. Amen