Articles - From a Church Warden

'Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God'

Kathryn closed with these words in prayer for all of us when she wrote in June about her faith journey. It seems to me to be a good place to pick up for an ongoing theme especially since Steve preached to us at 8am and 10am on 8th June on the subject of saints in general and some Saints in particular.

I'll come back to one Saint later but to start with I should own up to the fact that in wishing to do at least some research I've introduced myself to Wikipedia. I've never used this before but it seems to come up with notes that look authoritative. Perhaps the theologians amongst us would help me out if I dig myself into a hole as a result of using it!

Steve referred to the breadth of traditions in the Christian churches and there seems to be no doubt that each tradition attaches differences of emphasis to the business of being or becoming a saint or Saint. The Church of England defines a saint as one who is sanctified, as it translates in the King James Bible from 2 Chronicles 6:41 "Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness." And the early Christians were all called saints (see Hebrews 13:24; Jude 1:3 and Philemon 1:5, 7 for example - all in the King James Bible. The Good News Bible uses the expression 'all God's people' instead).

So although saints can have attributes such as that of 'extraordinary teacher' or 'source of benevolent power' or 'intercessor' or 'possessor of a special and revelatory relation to the holy' (according to Professor John A Coleman) they should perhaps primarily be seen as 'exemplary models'. This is something we all can and should aspire to be by living together in loving kindness, aligning our motives and actions with the will of God.

In other words we should live 'shining as a light in the world to the Glory of God'. Praying that we are enabled to do this is essential but so is action and response. In modern parlance we have to 'walk the walk' as well as 'talk the talk'.

Finally, the Saint I had in mind earlier is St Barnabas. Until Steve referred to him on 8th June I didn't realise that his feast day is 11 June - which is my birthday. Apparently his name was given to him by the apostles in Jerusalem, when he gave them all the money from the sale of all his goods, and means "son of exhortation and or encouragement". He was responsible, with Paul, for proposing the acceptance of Gentiles into the early church without the need for circumcision. Clearly this was a crucial act of inclusion fundamental to the growth of Christianity. If I can shine as a light of encouragement and inclusion I will be happy indeed.

Perhaps there is a Saint or a saint who inspires you?

"O Lord God … let thy saints rejoice in goodness"

Ted Fairfax

© St Edmund's Church, Roundhay