One of the mysterious passersby enjoying Abraham’s hospitality in this Sunday’s first reading says, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.” Transmission of HIV to newborns is but one example of many threats to public health posed by the virus.

The author of the Letter to the Colossians talks of having a commission from the Lord he needs to “bring to completion” for the Colossians. Having largely brought their work to completion for another decade, the Census Bureau is shedding hundreds of thousands of workers --about 225,000 in only the last few weeks--putting further pressure . . .

“One who walks blamelessly and does justice” will live in the presence of the Lord, the psalmist says this Sunday. Accused of fostering racism, Tea Party loyalist say the charge is unjust and they are blameless. The debate intensified this week after the NAACP approved a resolution condemning racism in the movement. 

When Jesus comes to visit Martha and Mary, he warns Martha about her unnecessary subservience. The French lower house of Parliament on Tuesday made its own statement against perceived subservience . . .

“He could be used in TV endorsements and adverts: ‘We're the best in the world. How do we know? Because Paul says so.’ ”

For the first time the United States has lost the top spot as the world's most competitive economy, according to a Swiss business school. The U.S. is now third behind Singapore and Hong Kong.