Don’t Be a Fan of the Saints

I own every Garth Brooks album. A fan since the tiny age of 3 when “Friends in Low Places” thrilled country radio, I soaked up and memorized lines from his self-titled release through Man Against the Machine. My parents saw him live when I was 7 and came home with an autographed photo – complete with my name scribbled by the man himself. I got the chance of a lifetime when my friend Amanda asked me to come along to a show in Kansas City in ’07. Hands down, the BEST day of my life (disclaimer: excluding events pertinent to vocation).

I’m a huge fan of Dave Ramsey. His principles make cents 😉 and following them leads Andrew and me on a road of financial clarity and hope (Baby Step FOUR is on our horizon!!). I’ve written a number of posts on finances and happily clarify his approach for any and all who ask. We facilitated his course, attended his Smart Conference in Dallas last year, and have listened to the discs. My best friend told me to go work for him, and I joked that he can’t afford my enthusiasm.

But here’s the thing – I don’t know either of these guys. Despite all the lyrical and lucrative knowledge, I have no relationship with Garth or Dave. Sigh. We’re not friends and probably never will be. I’m a fan; and the nature of fan-ship is admiration from a distance.

I found wide-eyed wonder and respect for St. Elizabeth of Hungary my junior year of college. Most know her for her love for the poor, but what drew me was her devotion to her husband and their deep friendship. She loved him so much she could hardly bear it. Freshly engaged, I tried to emulate her prayer and dedication in my relationship with Andrew, and I include her example in any talk I give; but, it occurred to me last night that I really haven’t invoked her aid lately. And by “lately” I mean in years. She’s at the top of my Saints Who Inspire list and I happily sing her praises, but there’s no connection. Admiration from a distance.

The distance, however, can be breached.

Thanks to the grace of God and nature of heaven, the saints who behold His Face are accessible regardless of time or tongue. When we’re drawn to peers, they become friends. Consider the behaviors and insights you’ve learned from your closest friends and how they affect your life; consider how a similar bond with a saint would certainly be more powerful and fruitful because they experienced the same earthly struggles, but won the imperishable crown. The saints are available not as resources, but as friends to those of us who have a while before death. They hear us and offer us hope and strength through their written words, prayerful intercession, and even their presence by our sides while we fight the good fight. My whole life I’ve had favorite saints whose stories fascinate me or whose virtues I want to mimic; isn’t that admiration in itself a nudge from God? Go on, he says, you guys will get along great.

The point is that there are incredible and fruitful friendships available to us now and all we need to do is speak up.  “Help me out here.”

So I’ll talk to my friend St. Elizabeth when I’m too focused on me instead of we in marriage. I’ll talk to St. Monica because I need to give selflessly to my children. I’ll ask St. Therese to give me her humility because it’s the virtue I want the most (and have the hardest time practicing), and St. Matthew to guide me as I manage our cash flow. I’ll ask Mary my Holy Queen to help me choose Christ every day.

And you know what? They’ll respond. 100% of the time. Because a person who’s achieved perfect holiness isn’t going to snub someone who asks for help or company on the way. The saints are happy to be in heaven and happy to help others get there, too.

My life has crosses and along with Christ, who better to help me carry my part than those I admire who are capable of loving God perfectly AND conveying his love to me? Don’t waste time being a fan of a saint when a connection deeper and more profound is just a prayer away.

 

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The Saints in Their Own Words:

Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco 

The Dialogues – St. Catherine of Siena

An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales

Divine Mercy in My Soul – the Diary of St. Faustina

The Confessions – by St. Augustine

The Way, Furrow, The Forge – wisdom from St. Josemaria Escriva

The Story of a Soul by St. Therese