Foster representation, not homogenization

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading presents us with an image of the diversity of God’s people, gathered from every nation and language. Many of our parishes in the United States are blessed with diverse communities of people, some celebrating together regularly in multiple languages. These parishes often work hard to address the unique and shared needs of those in their various communities.

Even in these communities, however, we can do more to ensure that the various ethnic groups, generations, and those of different backgrounds are represented within all of the parish committees, decision-making groups, and leadership.

At the other end of the diversity spectrum, some parishes may see themselves as more homogenous, with their members sharing the same ethnic background, language, or economic status. Therefore they do not offer any ministries or Masses in other languages.

However, it’s sometimes the case that these parishes are located in areas where those of other backgrounds work or in which they live in adjacent neighborhoods. In these parishes, once they begin offering Mass in the language of these people, they will often find that their community begins to look more diverse.

We may think everyone in our parish is the same. But unless we begin looking beyond ourselves, we won’t know for sure.