Mark asked:What is the benefit of being named a saint? Like when John Paul the second is going to be sainted is that just a way to say thank you, or does he become closer to God?Patrick Madrid replied:"No he doesn't get any closer to God than he already is. Nothing we do here on earth can nudge things one iota in heaven. So his glory in heaven given to him by God for a good life and for trusting in jesus that's what it is because God did that for him, not anything that you or I or the pope currently reigning can do. Rather the benefit is for us. The benefit is for those of us who because Pope John Paul the second will be canonized a saint we now have a definitive certitude that he is not only worthy of our veneration and our asking him to pray for us, but we're encouraged to do so. So we know that we have yet another voice in heaven praying for us among all the members of the body of Christ ... or as it says in Hebrews chapter 12 they're like a crowd of witnesses cheering us on. Hebrews 12 verses 1 through 2 talks about that ... we can ask for his prayerful intercession. That's where the benefit comes in. We benefit not him."Copyrights:© 2014 Immaculate Heart Catholic RadioEditor's note: This is an excerpt of the answer provided. For the complete response download the podcast. |