When I think about the culture of food today in comparison to days of old, I think of how travel and immigration has made eating so much more enjoyable. Traditionally, each region of the world had its staples. For example, the Irish had potatoes, Latin America tortillas, Italy pasta, and the Far East rice. The poor would survive almost exclusively on those inexpensive starches. If I had to eat rice every meal every day, year after year, it would just be a means of sustenance, and I would be a lot thinner.

Now in most parts of the world, especially in our diverse United States and big cities globally, we benefit from foodies from all cultures sharing their enticing recipes. Our supermarkets are filled with produce and canned goods I never saw in my childhood markets. Exotic seasonings required for online recipes come home in our shopping bags. So gradually, the cultures who would have never known cumin or jalapenos or miso become avid fans.

I think it is the same way in our local churches. If only a few people run everything, the flavor can stagnate. Catholic means Universal and our religion is practiced by faithful in all regions of the world. Jesus instructed his followers to make disciples of all nations and over the last two thousand years they have done that. In St. Lawrence and Sacred Heart, we are blessed to have talented men, women, and children, cradle Catholics and converts, from a variety of cultures, nations, and neighborhoods, even the Bronx and Yonkers!

When we volunteer in church ministries, we introduce our ideas and experiences to the parishioners who grew up with different traditions, expanding their tastes and inspiring new passions. Rather than a sustenance diet of weekly Mass, we can learn from the different leaders that run our adult faith formation classes as well as the children we teach in religious ed. Missions and workshops, processions and social nights can be the new seasonings we need to grow plump and satisfied in our faith community. If you don’t expect three meals a day of boiled potatoes to satisfy your palate, add more essential seasonings to your church diet too.

Scripture: Read Romans 12:4-8. What stands out?

Call to Action: God has given you talents to use, ideas to develop, and resources to share. St. Lawrence/Sacred Heart will be better with your help. Let’s talk. slotlynda@gmail.com.