Q. Why do we have to get Christian names (names of saints) when we are baptised?
A. Because the Church is also a family. And in all families, new children are always given names of relatives who came before them. The name effectively shows what family you belong to.
So too in the Church, new children - whether toddlers or adults - when they become members of that Family at Baptism, they too are given names of family members who came before them... Peter and Paul, Bart(tholomew) and Matt(hew), Agatha and Agnes, Cecilia and Stacy (Anastasia), Mukasa and Gyavira, Irene and Max(imillian), Bakhita and Lwanga, Diego and Alvaro, Kim and Chong, Cesc (Francesco, Francis) and Xavi(er), Pio and Daudi, Okelo and Irwa and so on.
At the same time, when giving a name to a child, it was also hoped that that child would grow to be as illustrious and virtuous as that family member they were named after. So too in the Church: it is hoped that we too shall be as illustrious and as virtuous (i.e. as holy) as the Christian saints we are named after. And aside from their example we also have their prayers; they are our patron saints.
Q. Why does the Church bother beatifying or canonising if "In Christ, we're all equal."
A. "In Christ, we're all equal." This true. St. Paul says as much.
"But THE LEAST in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." This is also true. Christ himself said it.
So it is not an either/or situation, it's a both/and situation. We're all equal even though there is a hierarchy.
How is this possible?
The best explanation I've come across is from a French lady who lived in the late 1800s who was trying to explain it to her 12yr old sister.
She used the example of a thimble, a tea cup and a mug. Fill all to the brim with water.
Which is the fullest? None. They are all full to the brim.
Which contains the most water? The mug, because it has the biggest volume.
So too with all the faithful in heaven.
We will all be full to the brim with God's love (or happiness if you prefer). He couldn't possibly love any of us more (and we couldn't possibly be happier). In this regard we are all equal.
But some souls, because they corresponded better to God's graces while on earth, managed to increase the capacity of their hearts. They can hold more of God's love. In this regard there is a hierarchy.
7th June 2015