Watching Democrats and Republicans wildly cheering Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as he addressed a joint-session of the United States Congress and, thereby, dissing their own president (along with the president’s predecessors), should cause us to come to the aid of members of our national legislative body. The members of that legislative body clearly need a revised Pledge of Allegiance. more

As the anniversary of the terrible events of 9/11 approaches, many people of good will are surely disturbed by the outcroppings of hatred and distrust—even violence—that are appearing across our land. more

The relationship between Muslims and members of other faiths (and persons of no explicit faith) has been a lot like that woman who appeared in the synagogue on the sabbath while Jesus was teaching (see Luke 13: 10 – 17). That is, it’s been “crippled,” “bent over,” “not able to stand up straight.” more

As we publish our “usual” Common Good Network, we pause for a few moments to pray for the people of Haiti. We struggle to comprehend the great pain and suffering of our sisters and brothers caught in this horrendous tragedy. Our hearts are heavy, and we think not only about the victims in Haiti but also about those of you who are waiting to hear from friends and family. As we find ways to respond faithfully to this unimaginable disaster, we share this prayer. more

Good thing the son of elderly Elizabeth and Zechariah – commonly known as John the Baptist – was born in a “Judean town in the hill country” (Luke 1: 39) and not “in and around Bethlehem” (Matthew 2: 16). more

I don’t think Jesus had those 128 soldiers primarily in mind when he taught his disciples that “those who lose their lives…will save their lives.” Those 128 refer to the number of U.S. soldiers who took their own lives in 2008 – the fourth year in a row that this figure has increased (2004: 67; 2005: 85; 2006: 102; 2007: 115). more