in my tradition, saints are not sneakily placed birdies set to chirp on your behalf into the ear of God. But they do dwell with Him now as we hope someday to dwell with Him, and the lives and works they left behind are intended to be examples of faithful Christian life, examples well worth our study and emulation. It makes sense to me because as I look at the people who have shaped my life—and my faith—I have no trouble thinking of them, living or dead, as saints.
