This Sunday’s psalm describes how God transplants the vine of Israel from Egypt to nationhood with poor results. When Great Britain transferred control of Hong Kong to China in 1997 the understanding was that the island would enjoy special status. A wave of protest in Hong Kong engulfed the city on Monday as thousands of residents defied a government call to abandon street blockades first initiated by students . . .

In this week’s second reading the faithful are counseled to “have no anxiety at all” but rather to pray for “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” Months after the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history began ravaging West African countries, a man who flew from Liberia to Dallas became the first case of Ebola . . .

Speaking for the people, the psalmist cries out for “new life” so that the people will be restored and “shall be saved.” It may take divine intervention to save wildlife from near extinction. A shocking report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has found that populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish have declined on average . . .

The landowner in this Sunday’s gospel trusted that his tenants would take good care of his vineyard. They let him down in a big way. The secret service, entrusted to watch over the White House and care for its occupants, let the president down in a big way recently. Battered by a mounting series . . .

"Our Chávez, who art in heaven, on Earth, in the sea and in us delegates, hallowed be thy name. . . . Lead us not into the temptation of capitalism, but deliver us from oligarchy."

According to recent surveys, 26 percent of Americans have prayed for their sports team and 21 percent have prayed to win the lottery.