Why Saints And Sinners (SS)?

Many people might wonder we use the name Saints and Sinners (SS) as the identity of the group. Why not use some very catchy names like Jesus' Army (JA),  Jesus' Evangelist (JE) or Heaven's Army (HA) or it's equivalent-like? Why not find something in mainstream line that appeals to the youths and the young ones? I felt compelled to write this reflection based on some feedback from friends, asking why we name our beloved group is such an astounding way. Some find it quite amusing and others...well, not so amusing, I guess. 

So, to start it all off...why Saints and Sinners? I will start off with  a passage from Romans 1:16-17 where Paul exclaimed "...we are saved by our faith, whether Jews or Greeks in the saving justice of God: a justice based on faith and addressed to faith. " A closer inspection on this passage gives us the answer we are looking for: That we all need God to attain salvation and only through God alone. Grace and blessings are the privilege bestowed by God to everyone and not based on merit or favoritism. Everyone is born equal in terms of his or her capabilities to reach out to God in faith and love. Now, why do we need grace in the first place? Because all of us are sinners to begin with. Everyone, with the exception of the Blessed Mother were born in the bondage of sin and death. Yes, and that also includes everyone, from Saint Peter, Mother Teresa or to any of the well-known saints throughout our history. Therein lies the first answer: We are all still capable of committing sin and worthy of the title sinner.  

In each of us, there is a seed of goodness and truth that has been sown in us. Our first parents, though deceived by the wiles of the Evil One, somehow still manage to retain the goodness that is so resplendent in our God and Creator. We all inherit that potential to respond to the Second Adam, the coming Christ, to escape and free ourselves from the dominion of sin. So, we all have the 'potential' to become saints or holy people. Interestingly, the word saint actually comes from the Latin word "Sanctus" which means people who are called to holiness.  That said, we can choose to remain in our status quo as sinners and reject the Spirit's gentle tugging at our hearts. And there you have the second answer: We all are called to aspire to holiness, as Scripture says 'Be holy, just like I am holy" (1 Pt: 1-16).

So, the Saints and Sinners tag signifies our desires to fly and unite with God, while being aware of our own weaknesses and needs for the Lord's loving care. It is not meant to denigrade the good qualities in us, but as a very good reminder that all of us are still struggling and in the journey towards home to our Father. And just as the Father is holy, so we aspire to become just like Him, who is our Father and our God. 

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Note: As per article that was published in sscircle Yahoo! group on 4th July 2009.