Today we celebrate All Saints Day. The Reformation returned us to our Biblical roots as far as saints are concerned, reminding us that all who are intentionally living out their faith are saints, people in whom the Spirit of God dwells and is at work. Sometimes it is extraordinarily visible, as with the late Mother Theresa, at other times it is not so visible. Yet, each one in whom the Spirit resides, empowers, and sustains, is in the process of growing into sainthood. We are that community of believers in which God is at work.
Sainthood is a communal effort.
Consider, who first introduced you to the faith, who continues to encourage you, welcome you, challenge you to new levels of faithfulness. None of us would dare take the name for ourselves. I dare say, not even Mother Theresa would have permitted it. Rather, we speak of one another as a communion of saints. In this communion and fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we can be addressed as saints, those who are being changed.