Monday, March 17, 2014

Happy St. Patrick's Day--to Everyone

St. Patrick arguably ushered in an era of Christianity in Ireland that is only now beginning to wane.  In reaction to a couple thousand years of being the majority religion in many areas of the world, and also in reaction to the sins and horrors perpetuated onto others by its followers, there are those who take offense at St. Patrick's Day (and many other widely celebrated Christian holidays).

We in the United States are entering an unprecedented time of diversity in our country.  If we are to survive and thrive as a multi-cultural nation, we must learn to be tolerant of each other--Christians and non-Christians together, Catholics and non-Catholics.  We must learn to celebrate that diversity and take joy in each other's holidays and holy days.

Recently, Pope Francis has reiterated his question to us--"Who am I to judge?"  There are so many cultures within the United States.  We are a country founded on immigration.  There was a time when Help Wanted signs in this country included the phrase "Irish need not apply."  Perhaps this early persecution helped cement Irish-Americans' joy in their heritage (that now includes so many in this country who, it turns out, are not Irish at all!).

Resisting another's culture that exists next to your own will only serve to solidify mistrust and hatred against that culture.  There is so much we can learn from each other.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to Everyone! 

1 comment:

Michele said...

Our country is also founded on immigration. I am of Irish ancestry as well. My Grandpa had Irish ancestry. He was born in the USA, came to Canada near beginning of the 20th century.

Dymphna's favorite quotes


"Slavery ended in medieval Europe only because the church extended its sacraments to all slaves and then managed to impose a ban on the enslavement of Christians (and of Jews). Within the context of medieval Europe, that prohibition was effectively a rule of universal abolition. "— Rodney Stark

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