I have known for a long time, probably since 2nd or 3rd grade,
that “catholic” means universal. However, I find that it takes
events like the Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium today to really grind
that concept in. This was not my first time attending mass
with the Pope. I was fortunate to be able to attend Easter
morning mass at the Vatican last spring. I remember that I loved
that the mass was said in so many different languages; it truly was
beautiful. However, the impact of the different languages was not
as strong as the impact that today’s mass- said in both English and
Spanish- had on me.
I think part of the reason for that is that while I was studying
in Europe, I was constantly surrounded by languages that were not
my native tongue, so the Easter mass, said in a myriad of
languages, was not that different from any other mass I’d gone to
while abroad. However, when I’m here in America, I use English
all the time. I have a number of friends who speak other
languages fluently and I’m certainly used to hearing them spoken
all around me, but I rarely use any foreign languages myself.
Every Sunday when I go to mass, it’s said in English. So when
a large portion of today’s mass was in Spanish, I was very
impressed.
America has been a country of immigrants since its
inception. Yet since that time, we’ve tried to “mainstream”
everybody. I think that part of the popular notion is that by
ignoring the differences between people of different cultures we’ll
avoid the potential conflict that occurs when two cultures meet.
The problem with that, in my opinion, is that it also ignores the
commonalities between two cultures. The Pope was able to see those
commonalities, and he highlighted them today when he used Spanish
during his homily. We all come from diverse backgrounds, but
we all share in common the most important aspect: we are all
brothers and sisters in Christ. It doesn’t matter what
language the words are being spoken in; the message is still the
same. If we seek out the Christ in others, we can communicate in
God’s language, which is compassion and love.
Today’s mass highlighted the best aspects of the United
States. We are a country built on freedom and
democracy. As such, we are a nation that is responsive to the
changing demographic of American society. The Papal Mass today
served as a wonderful recognition that so long as we recognize that
we are all linked through Christ, and hence the universal Church,
we never have to fear such change. Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the
United States is a true blessing for all Americans. He came to
New York City, perhaps one of the most diverse cities in the world,
and gave us all a gentle reminder that even in a city as
multicultural as this we are all connected through Christ, Our
Lord.