Vintage Saints and Sinners

1. Embrace your imperfections: Saints were sinners too

"I do not want to be doomed to mediocrity in my feeling for Christ. I want to feel. I want to love. Take me, dear Lord, and set me in the direction I am to go."

Saints were human. The "saints" we often put on pedestals were real people with flaws, doubts, and struggles. Augustine battled lust and pride. Mother Teresa experienced decades of spiritual darkness. C.S. Lewis was an atheist before his conversion. Their journeys show that faith is not about achieving perfection, but about persevering through weakness.

Growth through struggle. These vintage Christians demonstrate how God works through our imperfections:

• Thérèse of Lisieux embraced her "littleness" to find intimacy with God
• Martin Luther's anxiety drove him to rediscover grace
• Flannery O'Connor's physical suffering deepened her writing

Their stories invite us to be honest about our own brokenness and to keep pursuing God despite our failings. Holiness is not about being flawless, but about allowing God to work through our weaknesses.

2. Find God in the everyday: Practice the presence

"The gate of heaven is everywhere."

Sacredness in simplicity. Brother Lawrence found profound intimacy with God while washing dishes in a monastery kitchen. He developed a practice of continual conversation with God throughout mundane tasks. This "practice of the presence" transformed his work into worship.

Ordinary holiness. Other saints echo this theme of finding God in the everyday:

• Ignatius of Loyola taught people to examine their daily lives for God's presence
• Julian of Norwich saw the whole world contained in a tiny hazelnut
• Dorothy Day found Christ in serving the poor on city streets

These examples challenge us to look for God's presence in our normal routines, relationships, and surroundings. By cultivating awareness, we can turn ordinary moments into opportunities for connection with the divine.

3. Cultivate authentic friendships rooted in faith

"Here we are, you and I, and I hope, a third, Christ, is in our midst."

Sacred companionship. Aelred of Rievaulx taught that deep friendships can be a path to knowing God more fully. He described "spiritual friendship" as a relationship founded on shared faith, where friends help each other grow closer to Christ.

Community of faith. Other saints highlight the importance of spiritual companionship:

• Benedict and Scholastica created monastic communities for shared devotion
• The White Rose resistance group found strength in their bond of faith and purpose
• Fannie Lou Hamer built a "beloved community" in the civil rights movement

These examples show how authentic relationships can nurture our faith. By surrounding ourselves with people who share our values and encourage our spiritual growth, we find support for our own journey with God.

4. Pursue knowledge and faith as complementary forces

"I do not value treasures or riches; it always gives me more pleasure to put wealth in my thought than thought in my wealth."

Intellectual faith. Juana Ines de la Cruz, a brilliant scholar in 17th century Mexico, exemplifies the integration of rigorous learning and deep devotion. She pursued knowledge as a way to better understand and glorify God.

Faith seeking understanding. Other saints demonstrate this synthesis of intellect and belief:

• Thomas Aquinas used reason to explore theological truths
• C.S. Lewis applied his literary expertise to defend Christianity
• Howard Thurman combined philosophical inquiry with mystical spirituality

Their examples challenge the false dichotomy between faith and reason. They show how intellectual pursuit can deepen our understanding of God, while faith can provide a foundation for exploring the world's complexities.

5. Stand up for justice, even at great personal cost

"Such a glorious, sunny day and I must go. But what will my death matter if, because of our actions, thousands of people are wakened and stirred to action?"

Courageous conviction. Sophie Scholl, executed for resisting the Nazi regime, exemplifies faith-inspired courage in the face of injustice. She and her friends in the White Rose movement risked everything to stand against evil.

Faith in action. Other saints demonstrate how faith compels us to work for justice:

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer opposed Hitler's regime, ultimately dying for his beliefs
• Dorothy Day advocated for the poor and marginalized
• Fannie Lou Hamer fought for civil rights despite violent opposition

These examples challenge us to consider how our faith should impact our engagement with societal issues. They show that following Christ may require us to take courageous stands against injustice, even at great personal cost.

6. Discover your unique calling and live it boldly

"Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God's deepening his life in me."

Personal vocation. Ignatius of Loyola developed a method for discerning God's unique call on each person's life. He taught that by aligning our desires with God's will, we can discover our truest purpose.

Diverse paths. The saints demonstrate a wide variety of callings:

• Francis of Assisi embraced radical poverty
• Mother Teresa served the poorest of the poor
• C.S. Lewis used his literary talents to defend faith

Their stories show that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to following God. We're each called to use our unique gifts, personalities, and circumstances to serve God in our own way. The key is to seek God's guidance and pursue our calling with wholehearted dedication.

7. Rest in God's goodness amidst life's challenges

"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."

Divine assurance. Julian of Norwich, living in a time of plague and social upheaval, received visions of God's all-encompassing love. Her famous words offer comfort in the face of suffering and uncertainty.

Hope in hardship. Other saints found peace amidst trials:

• Brother Lawrence maintained joy despite physical pain
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer found strength in God while imprisoned
• Mary Paik Lee held onto faith through poverty and discrimination

These examples remind us that faith doesn't shield us from life's difficulties, but it can provide an anchor of hope. By trusting in God's goodness and love, even when we can't see or understand it, we can find peace and resilience in the midst of challenges.

Last updated: August 7, 2024