The saintly heroism of love

"There is a profound difference between celebrities and saints. In a narcissistic, self pleasing culture, we welcome celebrities because we lack courage and imagination. Traditional heroes make demands on us, but celebrities make no moral claim on us....No one ever asks how our constant exposure to the rich and famous is supposed to make us good, or wise, or faithful...But heroes--saints--stretch our imagination and stand as imperatives, calling, wooing us to a higher, holier life." James C. Howell