Commentaries
Pillars of Lent show how to live, and share, well
The prayer, fasting and almsgiving -- literally acts of mercy or pity -- that mark our way in Lent are a road map throughout the year for showing compassion, generosity and hope, writes Sarah Hanley.
Time for the human family to change course
Dan Misleh finds that the sacrifices and prayers of Lent make him more mindful of human suffering around the world, and of the narrow window of opportunity we have left to truly address the climate crisis.
What Ukraine’s witness says about America
Our empathy with heroic Ukrainians must lead to more than momentary emotion, observes Greg Erlandson. Americans need to recover a culture of the common good, a concern for the least among us, and to think more about "we" than "I."
From our broken world, ordinary heroes emerge
Whether it's the white-haired lady firing a rifle or a former comedian inspiring his citizens, Ukraine's strife is showing everyone lessons at the start of Lent. In our Lenten practices we answer Jesus' question, Why did you come?
Mercy of God shines through sacrament of penance
Father Eric Banecker, in the last part of his series on Catholic moral theology, reflects on God's forgiveness of our sins, and a priest's awe-inspiring experience of offering spiritual healing as Jesus did.
Pray with united hearts for peace in Ukraine, Europe, the world
The world again is facing the reality of one European nation invading another with a powerful army to subjugate it, writes Rabbi Abraham Skorka. Now all those who venerate human life must unite in yearning for peace and the setting down of weapons.
The hardest question, over dinner: What would God do?
As the world careens to the brink of war, Laura Kelly Fanucci talks to her kids about what can be done in Ukraine. But that most important question should be brought to the table every day as a way for the seed of faith to take root.
Let your (well formed) conscience be your guide
Each of us is called to form his or her conscience in light of Jesus' teachings of faith and morals, writes Father Eric Banecker in his series on Catholic moral theology.
The beatitudes’ unsettling words: Persecution
Human tragedies like the Holocaust and more subtle persecutions today all began with words such as "other" that can wreak tremendous harm. But God accompanies the persecuted.
Persecuted for the sake of justice
Persecution is not a thing of the past, writes longtime educator Tricia Hoyt. It persists overseas, in multinational corporations, the media, government and in our dioceses.