By the Rev. Miguel Bustos

I love this time of year. 

The fall has always been a time of reflection and celebration. From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. And on Oct. 11, we celebrated National Coming Out Day. 

As a gay Latinx member of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, I am again reminded of the incredible richness diversity brings to our lives, communities, and churches. 

These two observances may seem distinct, but they share a common thread: the beauty of embracing one’s true self and heritage while also acknowledging and celebrating the unique identities and experiences of others. 

Hispanic Heritage Month was a time to honor the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and histories that make up the Hispanic and Latinx communities across all the Americas. Many of our families came from countries in Province 9. Some of our families came decades ago, some last year, and some never left their land after Mexico was incorporated into the United States. 

As Jesus tried to show us, we are all interconnected, and our diversity highlights the beauty of God’s design. Just as every color in the rainbow contributes to its vibrancy, so too do the myriad of cultures, languages, and traditions within the Hispanic and Latinx communities enrich our church and lives. 

National Coming Out Day was an opportunity for people to embrace their true selves, live authentically, and find love, acceptance, and support from their friends, families, church, and communities. This day was another reminder that God made us all unique, and as believed children of God, we deserve respect, dignity, and love, regardless of who we love or how we identify. 

When Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?,” he replied, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22: 37-40). Therefore, we are called to love one another as we love ourselves: to love in such a way that knows no limits, borders, or conditions, and to embrace and celebrate every child of a loving God. And to love in a way that accepts this invitation to fully realize the vastness of God’s beautiful creation. 

I hope that beyond these special months and days, in our everyday Christian life, we come together with open hearts and open minds to embrace the diversity of our Hispanic and Latinx siblings across the Americas and let us stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirited siblings throughout the world.

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The Rev. Miguel Bustos is the manager for racial reconciliation and justice.