HEROISM AND SAINTLINESS

Where the Saintly transcends the Heroic

Part 1/2

It is great, I think, that our film industry has recently given us well-made hero films such as Heneral Luna
and Goyo. These made us appreciate our very own history; and along with it, our rich cultural heritage
that really makes us who we are; and stir in us nonetheless, a greater sense of patriotism; a better kind,
the one that stands for ideals and not to an idol (as one character had said in one of these films).

Moreover, these films (unconsciously or consciously) cultivate in us admiration(or at least appreciation)

of their main characters, and in the case of these two: Gen. Antonio Luna and Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar.
Seldom in books (as far as I know) that detailed(more or less accurately) their lives; but the films helped
our imagination and even enhance our understanding how noble these persons were; and how their
deeds were indeed heroic and praiseworthy.

In the Faith too, we have persons like them(mostly we forgot their significance, we often made them
just intercessory machines). These are the Saints. And they are the better ones, transcending these
heroes in their virtues and deeds.

But I would like to say before proceeding to reasons (brief and little explanation) that this is not to
discount the valor of these men and women who fought for freedom in our land, but to shed even more
light that the saints were the fulfillment of the former. We are deeply moved in admiration and to
emulate our national heroes. But hidden in this aspiration of every man/woman is the true desire to be
a saint.

HOLINESS THAT ENCOMPASSES ALL VIRTUES

Bravery to the point of dying for the country is really remarkable, worthy of veneration/honor. We
recognize how noble these persons were, giving up life for the sake of others, for the sake of a just
cause; so much so that we erect monuments for them, not even thinking, given our religious culture,
that we were making statues for idols. Free from prejudices and accusations of idolatry, we consider it
an honor even to erect these images for such persons.

And yet the fortitude of the Saints and Martyrs of the faith are even more. And it isn’t even this virtue
that’s at the center. For every martyr who died for the faith and the people is an imitation of their Lord
and Savior:

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die
for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God
proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:6-8
With their fortitude, comes humility as well. A lot of our saints will conceal their good works for they
know that everything has been His grace.

This could be why only few knew them while they were still alive. Even after death, few would still
discover them. Most people are even reluctant to the idea of carving an image of them as a keepsake.

Besides these two virtues, they too have faith hope and love in them. For “holiness” is a whole package.
We do excuse our heroes if they were rude, foul mouthed and disrespectful, or even if they were
womanizers and prideful. But in the saintly souls, these are not meant to be excused but to be
overcome. For they knew that their Most Beloved wouldn’t settle for such and that He desires that His
lovers be perfect (Matthew 5:48).

LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES

The saints are the most Catholic of all. And to be a Catholic in the fullest sense is to be a saint. For
Catholic means “Universal”(from Katholikos in Greek). Christ is the “Universal Man”, who died for all of
mankind. So his followers should be.

If then we have our national heroes, in the saints we find our universal heroes.

Love knows no boundaries. Love overflowed from Calvary, hence, his followers must go outside their
home; outside their territory, to the whole world; to be the frail aqueducts of His love for all. He/she,
like Christ, must go to the farthest region, to the farthest corner, to find the lost sheep of the Shepherd.
Go and proclaim to the whole world is his/her Master’s mandate. A Catholic must not treat others as
Jew or Greek, either slave or free, either Filipino or not; he/she is to see them as redeemed by Christ.

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for
all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

LOVE UNHINDERED BY DEATH

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” – Hebrews 12:1

The heroes of our land might have all these inspiring stories to tell. They might give us the inspiration
and encouragement to live according to their ideals. But just as Jesus Christ lives to make intercession
for us (Hebrews 7:25), the saints are more than inspirations. When they died in their mortal bodies,
they(so we who believe shall also be) were raised by Christ as we believe:

“Now if we die with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” – Romans 6:8 NIV

And they were not really separated from us. In heaven, they carry our prayers before the throne of
God(see Rev 5:8; 8:3).

Why would someone think that eternal life shall stop us from doing good? Would God be so absurd that
He cultivates in us holiness(our divine life) only to abandon in the next life? (see Phil 1:6). On the
contrary, eternal life makes perfect our character, our Christ-likeness.

Saint Padre Pio and Saint Therese gets it:

“When I’m in heaven, I will be able to do more” – Saint Padre Pio

“ I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.” – St. Therese of Lisseux