I should not think that saints needed to be perfect as human beings. In
fact, major imperfections gave room for penance & understanding of one's own
imperfections & need for God's perfecting presence -- all of which paved
path to sanctity. After all, saint was not seen as a saint, because s/he was
a perfect human being, but rather because s/he manifested the presence of
God in her/him. The bigger the change from sinner to virtuous being, better
the manifestation of God's changing power.
Makes me think of the present Protestant use of recovered alcoholics &
converted criminals as evangelists: their message seems to be seen as more
powerful call for repentance etc than that declared by good citizens who
never stepped off the straight and narrow path.
Maiju Lehmijoki-G.
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