They
Are More Like Us Than They Realize: Communion of Saints
By
Br. Gregory-David Jones, O.S.B.
Recently
at the memorial service of Michael Jackson, something peculiar
happened, something that many Christians would object to if questioned
about the concept of what occurred, but somehow it went "under the
radar". Like many ideas formed during the Protestant Reformation,
there are natural sensibilities that are condemned as being "heretical
practices". What happened at this event highlights one of those
things.
For
centuries, Christians have prayed for and asked prayers from those who
have passed on to the next life. The saints were heralded as
examples to imitate as their stories of triumph and self-sacrifice for
the Gospel were continually retold throughout the generations. It
was only during the 16th century that seeking the intercession of the
saints began to be considered "contrary to the Bible". Such a
practice was considered worthless and disrespectful of Jesus’ title as
the mediator between God and man. More condemningly there is the
accusation that asking a dead person to intercede on one's behalf was a
form of divinization of human beings and idol worship as relics of the
saints were preserved and venerated.
As
mentioned in a previous commentary, the condemned ideas of "speaking
with the dead" and "worshipping idols" as practiced by Catholics are
not foreign to the way Protestants honor the special people in their
lives who have passed on. Why is this? Because there is
something in our nature and the nature of our Christian faith that
tells us that the veil between those living on earth and those in
heaven is only as thick as our inability to believe that they are not
dead, but alive, even more so than we here on earth. We sometimes
even feel that they are as close to us as a person standing by our
side. This is a sentiment that all Christians can relate
to. Why wouldn't those who are in heaven rejoice when our sins
are forgiven? Why wouldn't they pray for us that we will join
them in heaven? Why wouldn't they who are in the “cloud of
witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) hear us when we ask them to pray for us?
Returning to the peculiar occurrence at the memorial service of Mr.
Jackson, as the thousands of family members, friends and fans were
gathered at the arena; it was during the eulogy that it happened.
This very talented entertainer whose life was plagued by serious flaws
that were publicly known received something that many Protestant
theologians and preachers would find reprehensible. He received
recognition, not for his accomplishments or the positive impact he had
on the lives present. He received recognition as a person who is
not dead, but alive. Reverend Al Sharpton, at the conclusion of
his speech addressed the deceased by saying three times, "Thank you,
Michael!" Was this simply an empty show to comfort his family who
were mourning his death, or was it a deep and profound expression of
solidarity with those behind the veil that Christians have understood
and practiced for centuries?