We experience now a church where the laity matter—where, for example, a New York Times columnist without any church title can have a voice.

Jesus’ call to spread the Gospel should fill all Christians, especially those within the church hierarchy, with a sense of wonder and gratitude, Pope Francis said.

A popular meme portrays Jesus as always judgmental, always making a sales pitch. But as a human being, he enjoyed friendship for its own sake.

We laypeople are failing in our mission. We have outsourced evangelization to a few paid members of staff and a collective of volunteers.

“A good youth ministry program in a multicultural space can be where you integrate communities together and allow for them to really have an appreciation for different cultures.”

Recognizing and celebrating diversity does not threaten unity in the church. Instead, it strengthens the ability of evangelizers to embrace people on the margins of society.