What is a saint? Some people seem to think that saints are special or outstanding people living special or outstanding holy lives. Some people seem to assume that saints are able to perform amazing works of miracles or great acts of piety such as praying long hours, enduring great sufferings for Christ and remaining sinless. But these are not what a saint is all about, since we sometimes over-exaggerate the good points of the saints, while forgetting that they too have had not so good points. So what makes a “saint” a saint?
What makes a “saint” a saint is basically his or her ability and openness to be in touch with his or her humanness, and making efforts to remain holy while remaining human. The beatitudes in today’s gospel paints us a beautiful picture of what it means to be human and to be holy: by describing those who are happy, blessed, holy, and in touch with their pain, weaknesses and limitations. The beatitudes remind us that saints are the poor in the spirit, for they recognise their own weakness and limitations and therefore their need for God; they are gentle persons and not people of violence; they stand for justice by not remaining silent but stand up especially for the poor, the marginalised, and those who have no voice of their own; they are able to show compassion to others because they too have received compassion from God; they are pure in heart, as they have no hidden agenda; and they are also peacemakers in a world ridden with violence and revenge.
What does this mean to all of us? It means that each of us is called to be a saint. We are called to recognise our poverty, our weaknesses, our pain, our need for compassion, our desire for peace and justice, and our need for God. It is not impossible to be a saint, all we need to do is to be consistent, humble and willing to live life as Christ meant for us to live, and to let Him be our help and guide.