As I reflect on the words of so many Catholics, non-Catholics, world leaders, and many others, I can’t help but think about the enormous influence that the pope has had on the world for these past 26 years. While I have long respected and admired his leadership, his moral convictions and his relentless pursuit of peace and unity throughout the world, I suspect that it is only now that many of us will come to truly understand the significance of John Paul II’s mark on modern history. Leaving his mark, of course, was not his intent. Rather, serving God and living Christ’s example through his words and through his actions was important, and what a fine modern day model to attempt to emulate.

God has blessed each of us with unique talents that we are called to share with others, and Karol Wojtyla shared everything he had with and for others. He was an accomplished actor, writer, poet, and athlete. He was also a gifted teacher, theologian and philosopher and blessed others through his sharing for nearly 59 years as a priest, bishop and pope. He was popular among people from all walks of life and religions and took great pains to stress the dignity and worth of every individual.

I’ve written often about the characteristics of a Christian steward; prayer, humility, trust, patience, responsibility, gratitude, generosity, simplicity, mercy and perseverance, and can think of no one who embodied these traits more than Pope John Paul II. I cannot do justice by simply recounting many of the stories that the newspapers and television stations are now sharing with people around the globe and relating one of these characteristics to the story because I believe, upon reflection, that each of us will discover several of these characteristics threaded throughout each chapter of the pontiff’s life.

Pope John Paul II was truly a modern day example of how to live our lives as Jesus did. The unique gifts each of us has been blessed with are different from each other, different from those of the pope, but nonetheless important in carrying out God’s work here on earth. Most, if not all of us, will never achieve the level of influence and respect that this holy man achieved after being called to lead the Church, but each of us in whatever role and with whatever gifts, are called in the same way to share them with and for the benefit of others.

We struggle as we mourn the death of a loved one to sometimes find the proper ways to memorialize their lives. Today as we pray and reflect on the legacy of Pope John Paul II and pray for his successor, I truly believe that one of the ways in which we can best honor him is to read about him, his life, and his ministry and how he carried out his role as a Christian steward. Then, each of us can and should recommit ourselves to being the best stewards we can be, sharing those gifts of our time, our talents, and our treasure in service to our fellow man. That, I believe, is an appropriate way to memorialize our Holy Father and to remember with gratitude his significant and important impact on our lives.

Pope John Paul II, may you rest in peace, Amen.