Why are there no Saints named in the Old Testament?

Why are there no Saints named in the Old Testament?

A person acknowledged as holy or virtuous can be called a saint.  The Church has given that title to many men and women who demonstrated heroic actions via their explicable lives as emissaries for God.

We need only to look at the followers of Jesus as he demonstrated the journey one must adhere to if they would share his kingdom. 

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt. 16: 24).

All but John followed Jesus to their martyrdom.  Heroic, holy, and virtuous.  Saints!   

For as many canonized saints the church has acknowledged as holy and virtuous there are no doubt untold legions of unknown people who fall into the category of being holy and virtuous; perhaps our parents or very close friends each one living heroic lives without any fanfare;  Saints!

God said to Moses; “You may indeed view the land at a distance, but you shall not enter that land which I am giving to the Israelites.”   Because of Moses and his brother Aaron breaking faith with God Moses was denied entrance into the promised land. (Dt. 32: 51, 52). Did that mistake cost Moses sainthood?

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light.  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.”  (Mt. 17: 1-3).  A heroic figure, emanating holiness and virtue.  Saint!

Are saints to be considered perfect or are they weak as humans making mistakes?  Moses made at least one mistake with God, and perhaps more.  But he was holy and virtuous.  If not he would not have stood with Elijah on the mountain conversing with Jesus about his coming Passion, just prior to the Glorious entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. 

Saints are not perfect, they are holy.  Holiness is not found in those who are impeccable by human standards, but in the eyes of God they stand solid in their faith and are willing to carry their cross, daily.  

Old Testament figures that stand as precursors to the Messiah they awaited; they are saints in their own right.  

One important note concerning the appearance of Moses and Elijah; with God there is no past or future.  Everything is in the present and therefore what we saw in the Transfiguration already occurred.  Since humans live in time and space what has already happened is occurring for our benefit.  As in the Consecration at Mass this is what is known as “Collapse of Time.”   We are present to something that can be considered past time, occurring before us.

Saints from the Old Testament and New Testament are valid and yes you can pray to them as intercessors to God.  We believe them to be part of the Communion of Saints as the Church Triumphant.

Ralph B. Hathaway, December 2021