Have you ever heard the expression   “a sad saint is a sorry saint!” What this is saying is that a joyless saint is not even a possibility. And perhaps he or she is actually a fraud. Why make such strong statements about saints? Well, a saint’s source of joy is never the assurance of having reached perfection or of having nothing left to repent. How absurd to even think this is possible while we wear our outer garment of earthly flesh. Even with the gift of grace we can never be sure we don’t have a few imperfections and or even slip ups now and then. Human frailty is simply too pervasive even when we try hard to do the right thing. What makes saints smile, and us too, is the assurance that all our weaknesses and even their most annoying of sins can never, ever separate us from the love of God. Wasn’t it St Paul who recognized this when he wrote “strength was made perfect in weakness?” (2 Corinthians 12:9). It’s weakness that attracted God, the Father, to send Jesus to save us, and make us welcome at His table once again.

To say that our sins and imperfections once recognized and repented bring us most closely to the perfection and holiness of God, isn’t meant to be a sales pitch for sin and its degradation, not at all! But when we sin and turn our backs on God and choose something not wholesome and proper. It is our repentance that brings God to our rescue. And our begging of God’s mercy releases inexhaustible pourings of that mercy into our hearts and lives.

The beauty of God’s mercy is awesome in itself. For when those doors are open, they stay that way until our healing is complete and our sins are in fast flight. Why? Because God sent His Son Jesus to make sure that none of us perish. And God keeps His Word-always! Isn’t this alone something to celebrate.

This is why there can’t be any sad saints. We know God wants us all in heaven, and does all in His power (and this is a lot) to keep that promise. So claim your weakness and replace it with the strength of Jesus Christ. If this doesn’t make us smile, I can’t imagine I what will!