In this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus meets a Cannanite woman, who begs him to heal her daughter. At first, Jesus explains that his mission is to save only the house of Israel, but the great faith of the woman overcomes cultural boundaries. Faith transcends all cultures, making the foreign familiar, distances close, and the exclusive inclusive. Our call is to live our Catholic faith with openness, and to bring all people, with respect and without judgment, to be agents of unity in Jesus.
Sitting at the front of the church and looking out at the congregation during Mass is such a joy for me. I see people of all ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and a rainbow of diversity. We live in a time that has become increasingly divided, fueled by biased media personalities and political leaders. Yet, we can cast that aside and come together in church because we are all a family in Christ.
This broad spectrum of diversity and inclusion is found even moreso at our 5:30 “Sunday Night Mass,” which is why it is my favorite Mass. I see more unfamiliar faces (i.e., probably not all parishioners) and more diversity. I see people attending in shorts and t-shirts (which is how I prefer to dress) and coming just as they are, which is how Jesus calls us to his table. All of this creates a beautiful energy at this Mass, which is somehow different and even more uplifting. Even after having a full weekend of singing and playing at Masses, the energy of the 5:30 Mass is still truly palpable and invigorating for me.
Embracing inclusivity, and therefore unity, in the Church embodies its core values of love and compassion, while also fostering a stronger, harmonious community. Inclusivity nurtures belonging, allowing for deeper connections and meaningful relationships that provide for spiritual growth. By exemplifying unity, the Church also serves as an example of what creating a more interconnected and compassionate world would look like. Let’s actively embrace inclusivity in our Church family and beyond, ensuring that everyone feels truly valued and accepted, and together, we will cultivate a more vibrant and harmonious world.
