Jewish law at the time of Jesus dictated that the firstborn male be presented at the Temple, giving rise to the feast we celebrate this Sunday. U.S. constitutional law requires that the president each year make a presentation before Congress . . .

Jesus is a new kind of high priest who rescues people from death, this Sunday’s reading from the Letter to the Hebrews says. Something as simple as saline—salt water—can also be a lifesaver when used in intravenous solutions . . .

This Sunday’s first reading we learn that God’s messenger comes not to destroy but to purify the community. Pope Francis has been busy in his first year putting a number of reforms in place at the Vatican. Popular media continue to shower attention on his efforts,  with a first-ever papal cover of Rolling Stone . . .

Jewish law dictated that at the presentation of the first-born male at the Temple, a sacrifice be made of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Two white doves, a bird of the pigeon family that is bred in captivity, nearly sacrificed their lives at the Vatican this week . . .

“Wherever there was an injustice to be fought, a war to be combated, a union drive to be supported, Pete was out there with his 5-string banjo and his 12-string guitar.”

New research has shown that every day in the U.S. about 20 children are injured by firearms and require hospitalization. Many of these need further treatment once they're out of the hospital.