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Hi Stephanie,
The Catholic Church has always taught that
we are saved by grace through faith.
See Ephesians 2:8-10.
We differ from classical Protestantism in that the Church teaches and believes that
when a person receives the grace of justification, they are not just declared righteous,
they are made righteous. As Isaiah wrote, God's word will accomplish what it is sent
forth to do. (Isaiah 55:11)
So when God declares you righteous, he actually makes you righteous. To that end, justification
is not simply a one-time, static event, rather, it is a dynamic process. As God pours grace
into our lives, we can either continue to accept or reject it. All that said, salvation
is a complete act of Christ from beginning to end which requires our free will cooperation.
As it relates to the Saints, I don't have the particular answer for you because I don't know the context of the statement you are referring to but let me make it simple:
Everyone in the Church is a Saint including those who have
gone on to be with the Lord. Those already in the fullness of His Presence know His
will more than those of us who are still struggling in the flesh, therefore when
we ask for the intercession of a Saint in Heaven, we are asking them to join us in
prayer. This is not because we are less worthy or have need for a go between.
As
Christians, we know that we have access to the Father through the Son but there
is more to the Christian life than me, my Bible, and Jesus. When we become Christians,
we become part of the Body of Christ. All those in Christ through the Spirit are
part of the same Body. We, therefore, are admonished to pray without ceasing for
ourselves and each other.
The Book of Hebrews, Chapters 11 and 12 paints a beautiful picture of the unity of the
Body both in Heaven and on Earth. Revelation 5:8 says that the 24 elders (New Testament
and Old Testament Church) fall before the Lord upholding our prayers as bowls of
incense and, I believe it was James that wrote, the prayers of righteous avail
much. (James 5:16)
- Well, who is more righteous than those who already find themselves in
Heaven?
Now it is true, that some Catholics mistakenly misunderstand the role of
the Saints.
In some instances, it can become idolatrous. Others might rely
on the Saints because they don't feel worthy to ask the Lord directly.
This is an unfortunate by-product of poor instruction, but that doesn't
change the truth of the doctrine.
I hope this helps,
John
[Related page: AskACatholic.comi/ScripturePassages]
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