Protecting democracy is critical this year and beyond. But as Catholics we should use the power of the vote to promote the common good, rather than to protect our own interests.

The Catholic partisan divide provides an opportunity for the church to model proper civic behavior.

God sending Jonah to Nineveh would be like telling a modern-day rabbi to preach in Iran or Gaza.

The corporal works of mercy have long guided Christians in helping those suffering from poverty and oppression. Politics can also be a holy activity if we pursue certain works of mercy.

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.