The reading from the Letter to the Galatians this Sunday describes how faith ends all divisions, uniting one and all as children of God. The announcement Monday that the U.S. and Afghan governments would begin direct talks on national unity with representatives of the Taliban insurgency gave the world at least . . .

Questions of identity are front and center in this Sunday’s gospel as Jesus first asks his disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” and then, even closer to home, “but who do you say that I am?” Months of speculation on whom President Obama would pick as the new U.S. ambassador to the Vatican ended last Friday . . .

In the Book of Zechariah this Sunday we hear of a "spirit of grace and petition" poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The inhabitants of São Paolo and other Brazilian cities poured on to streets and plazas across the nation this week with petitions of their own—for better social services and an end to corruption. Focused at first . . .

The psalmist’s calls for support are answered by the Lord, we hear this Sunday: “You are my help . . . your right hand upholds me.” Answering calls from Syrian rebels for more support, President Obama has decided to supply them with military aid, a decision . . .

“It is a well-known fact that current levels of production are sufficient, yet millions of people are still suffering and dying of starvation. . . . A way has to be found to enable everyone to benefit from the fruits of the earth [not only] the crumbs falling from the table.”

Between 2000 and 2011 the percentage of private companies offering health-care coverage to employees dropped to 52 percent. During that time the average premium for a single worker doubled.