Who are our heroes?

Are they supermodels, supermoguls, or supermoms?

Are they articulate bishops, moving preachers, or inspiring spiritual writers?

Picking heroes these days is difficult for us because we live in a culture where the celebrity has replaced the saint.

Christian bookstores are full of top-sellers by sports stars and big-church pastors whose fame is derived more from their celebrity than their saintliness.

The problem, of course, is that celebrities are the opposite of saints. As philosopher James Danaher observes, while the celebrity draws his or her identity from the notoriety that masses of people provide, the saint draws his or her identity from God alone.

This Sunday is All Saints’ Sunday. On this day you and I contemplate the heroes in our lives. We may consider what examples they’re setting and if we really want to follow them.

I recently had the pleasure of presiding over the funeral of a saint. Mike did not seek power, prestige, or possessions. He sought to love and give. He was no celebrity. He was a man of God whose patience, quiet devotion and honesty made him the ideal Christian role model.

Our broken, confused, and violent world desperately needs role models like Mike. And you and me. So who are we looking up to today? Who are our heroes? And do we need to substitute a saint or two for a celebrity?

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Reading

Parting the Waters – Taylor Branch

Rabbi Paul – Bruce Chilton

Mark – Michael Card