We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”
– Jimmy Carter (President of the USA from 1977-1981).
In the previous issue, we discussed the social dimension from the viewpoint of interpersonal relationships between individuals and within the community. However, the social dimension of wholeness is made up of broader aspects such as, CULTURE, JUSTICE, EQUALITY and ECOLOGY. These are integral elements of wholeness which are not often emphasized by priests and religious both in their personal life style and in their ministry. In fact, we are proficient in differentiating people based on their culture, language, caste, colour and creed. Prejudices, biases and assumptions are generously utilised to make rules and norms that are exclusive rather than inclusive.
Are we a Melting Pot or a Beautiful Mosaic?
We consider diversity as a threat and therefore, fail to see differences as a gift, and what is more, we fail to benefit from them. Conversely, the opposite attitude that a religious should imbibe is to welcome these differences as a treasure to be cherished. Maybe, the following questions would introduce us to the theme we would like to discuss here.
At the community level:
- Do you live in an intercultural or ethnic community with confreres and sisters hailing from a cultural group different from yours?
- How do you feel when you find yourself living with a community member who thinks and acts very differently from what you are accustomed to?
- Do you feel Excited? Fed up? Irritated? Tolerating? Confused? Or Adjusting? Accepting?
At the level of province or Region:
- How does your Province/Region deal with diversity and cultural differences among its members?
- Are the intercultural differences appreciated and cherished in your province?
- Are there subtle or strong tension or polarity between locals and foreigners, majority and minority groups, and elderly and young?
- What are the common prejudices held about the various groups and how do these prejudices affect the fraternity of the Province/Region and its mission?
Each of these questions are profoundly self-reflective and transformative if we choose to reflect on them in the right spirit. If we do this through the lens of interconnectedness, we would understand that Culture, Justice, Equality and Ecology are, indeed, integral elements of wholeness.
This concept is very well echoed in Fratelli tutti, wherein Pope Francis extends a meaningful invitation to everyone saying, “Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travellers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all” (FT, no. 8). The value that we are invited to learn is Love for Society, with all its richness and limitations.
Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb
To read the entire article, click Subscribe
