Many of us go back and forth between ignoring politics and getting angry about it. You will feel better, and be a better citizen, if you are more disciplined about your attention.

Some humility about how much we really know can help prevent toxic rhetoric when we talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with family, friends and colleagues of different faiths.

“This is what the pope is asking of us,” Cardinal-designate Christophe Pierre said. “We are not only defenders of ideas, because if I defend only one idea, whoever disagrees with me becomes my enemy.”

Falling marriage rates across the globe threaten vulnerable women and children. The Catholic Church can help if we put aside political idolatry and work as different members of the same body of Christ.

I have learned more about the church than I could ever have imagined, and the synod process has come to seem even more urgent and fruitful.

It is within our capacity to move beyond yet another national nightmare; it is in the best interests of us all to do so.