(Photo from The Cloisters Collection, 1965)

By Sister Michele Morek

Earlier this year I heard a charming story on my favorite radio program, Science Friday, celebrating a new book called “The Science of Imperfection.” I find it consoling to know that – biologically speaking – we can’t be perfect (indeed we would not want to be perfect). In fact, imperfection is built into our genes. Humans have a higher mutation rate than most other animals our size, and this is mostly a good thing.

Diversity in our children means that our human race is more likely to survive changes in our environment. Farmers may remember that in 1970, most hybrid corn plants in the United States had the same version of a single gene. That year almost all the corn in the United States was wiped out because all of it had the same gene that made it susceptible to a fungus disease. Only those plants with a different version of the gene were the ones that survived.

This is why we worry about the loss of biodiversity around the world, especially in small or inbred populations of animals or plants, which might not survive a change in their environment.

Which gets me to my quote of the month! Somewhere around Pentecost I read that “Pentecost is the feast that celebrates the consecration of diversity!” One of my favorite images of the Pentecost season is the diversity of languages suddenly becoming clear to the Spirit-filled disciples. Diversity is holy! Diversity is healthy! Now the trick for nations and people is how to find unity in diversity.

Saint Angela Merici had some advice for us:

Remain in harmony, united together, all of one heart and one will. Be bound to one another by the bond of charity, respecting each other, helping each other, and bearing with each other in Jesus Christ. (Angela Merici, Last Counsel)

All while celebrating our “consecrated diversity!”

Spend some time thanking God for the things that make you unique.