This writing is intended to address and counter the claim made by some non-Catholics that those who have died are completely asleep or unconscious, and therefore it is wrong for Catholics to ask the Saints to intercede for us. However, this argument deserves closer examination in light of Scripture and the teachings of the early Christian tradition.
The Catholic Church does not teach that the Saints are dead in the sense of being completely unaware or incapable of being in the presence of God. Rather, Catholics believe that those who die in God’s grace and are found worthy of eternal life enter into God’s presence. They are alive with Him in Heaven and remain united with the Church, which includes both the faithful on Earth and the Saints in Heaven. Therefore, asking the Saints to pray for us is not the same as worshiping them or replacing God. It is asking those who are already in God’s presence to intercede on our behalf, just as Christians on Earth ask one another to pray.
Furthermore, Scripture teaches that judgment is based on a person’s works and moral accountability. The purpose of a court is to try a person who has been accused of committing a crime. If there is absolutely no case or accusation against someone, there would be no reason for that person to stand trial. In the same way, the question arises: Why would a person need to face judgment if there were no sins or offenses for which he or she could be held accountable? Why you will face judgment if there’s no case against you? As Saint Paul teaches;
[1 Timothy 1:9] Knowing this, that the law is not made for the just man, but for the unjust and disobedient, for the ungodly, and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for manslayers
Biblically, death refers to the death of the body, but not necessarily to the death of the soul. Jesus said that no one can destroy the soul except God alone (Matthew 10:28). The Apostle Peter said that Jesus went down to Hades to preach to the spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:18–19). The “second death” mentioned in the Book of Revelation refers to eternal separation from God in hell.
1. Abel pleaded God though he was dead
[Genesis 4:8-10] “What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” “What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.
2. King Saul had talked to the soul of prophet Samuel
[Samuel 28:1-3] Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure[a] coming up out of the earth.” “What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today.
3. Elisha prophesied although he was dead
[Sirach 48:13-14] Nothing was too hard for him, and when he was dead his body prophesied. As in his life he did wonders, so in death his deeds were marvelous.
4. The souls of the slain martyrs cried out to the Lord, ‘How long, O Lord, will You avenge our blood?’
[Revelation 6:9-10] And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You avenge our blood and judge those who dwell upon the earth?”
5. Jesus talked to the souls of Moses and Elijah
[Matthew 17:1-3] Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, up on a high mountain by themselves. While they watched, Jesus’ appearance was changed; his face became bright like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Then Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.
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