A vicar asked a group of children, "What is a saint?"

Little Johnny put up his hand immediately.  "A Saint," he said proudly, "is a dead Christian."

Like many such sayings of children there is a truth hidden in there somewhere!  It is a truth that those whom the Church calls saints have passed through death, though our Resurrection faith tell us that they are far from dead.  They are more fully alive in God's nearer presence than they ever were on earth.

Of course, the New Testament says that we are all saints in that we are the holy ones of God.  Saintliness, or Sanctity, is about becoming holy.  Being holy is about reflecting the image of God in the world because we are constantly in God's presence through Prayer, Worship and Bible pondering.  We learn of God when we learn from Jesus who is, of course, the ultimate expression of the holiness of God.  He is not made in God's image - He IS God's image.

We become holy, because, through the gift of grace, we are changed into God's likeness.  Paul calls Jesus the 'image of the unseen God'.  In Jesus God is fully revealed.

Saints, in varying degrees, reveal Christ to us which is why they are so important.  They are, if you like, our role models.  In the secular world there are many role models - sporting stars, pop stars and celebrities of all kinds.  They aren't always very good role models especially when the popular press have a go at them.  For Christians, role models are more dependable.  The Saints will not let us down because they aren't interested in fame or even in being role models.  They are only interested in showing us something of the love of God.

I like George Appleton's description that

Saints are people who have had an encounter with God, however they name him, and have had their lives changed as a consequence ... because of their devotion and faithfulness to our Lord they made their contribution to God's purpose of love.

Now, of course, that should be a description that fits all of us who profess to follow Christ and bear His name.  So why do we need Saints?  After all, they have entered into the glory of the Lord and they certainly don't need our interest, still less our prayers. 

I can only say why I need Saints.  I need to be encouraged and I need to believe that grace really can change me.  As I struggle with being both a priest and a human being, I need to find in the lives of the saints reference points for my own journey of faith.   I need to know that God can save us despite the flaws and the lack of love we sometimes (often?) show to him. I need to know too that you don't have to be super-human to enter into God's Kingdom but you do have to love much and allow yourself to be loved by God.  The Saints who speak to me are those who have entered into that same struggle and who have radiated love, often in the most difficult circumstances.  I need role models who are real and who through their loving witness show me that God's love is real for me.