Heroes

I was going to write a tribute to the Pope in wake of his passing but it seems like every other website has beaten me to the punch and I have nothing significant to add that hasn't already been addressed. However, it has been amazing to watch the huge outpouring of support that Pope John Paul II has recently received. Millions of people paid tribute to his memory and life work. The world mourns the pope because he provided moral and spiritual leadership to over a billion people. He was a man of integrity, honor and charity. Who today shares these attributes? Who else do we admire and respect enough to emulate. Who are our heroes today?

Are today's heroes politicians? Hardly. Deserving or not, most politicians are seen as selfish and fake. Half the country feels such apathy for them that they fail to even vote for or against them. Are they famous celebrities? Maybe. We do live in an entertainment culture that feasts on celebrity gossip and reading about stars in the tabloids. But I wonder if today's celebrities and their licentious lifestyle are really worth celebrating. Do we really want our kids to grow up and become the next Madonna or Eminem? Are today's heroes the rich? No. There is certain level of disdain and jealousy for the rich. We might want to be rich but we don't respect them. One can hardly blame us for that feeling after watching all the recent corporate scandals.

So who is left? Who are the leaders of tomorrow? Who is the next John Paul II? My suggestion is that you and I have to fill that role. Before the Pope was the Pope he just a boy named Karol from Poland. I am sure he never figured he would be a hero to so many but he lived his life with purpose and compassion that eventually won the respect of the world. People are hungry for real leaders. The world wants to believe in someone who places others before themselves.

Our calling is not to be famous but to live a life dedicated to serving the less fortunate and standing up for right and wrong. By doing that we can be a hero to the people around us. And while millions may not gather for our funeral our lives will be worth celebrating.