The psalmist this Sunday describes God in these terms: “You who relieve me when I am in distress.” Distressed low-wage workers are looking for relief as well, and their campaign for a big bump in the minimum wage, the "Fight for $15,” is growing rapidly, with everyone from adjunct professors to home healthcare aids joining fast-food workers this week at more than 230 city and college demonstrations as well as in dozens of cities overseas.

Homily hint: Every time you turn around seems the price of something has gone up—yet wages for many remain remarkably low. A time of prosperity after a long downturn should translate into benefits for all, especially for those who have suffered most. Support a just and living wage—honest pay for honest work.

For more on “Fight for $15” see: Protests For $15 Minimum Wage Are Heating Up; Fast-food strikes widen into social-justice movement

The Acts of the Apostles this Sunday says that those who denied Jesus at his Crucifixion did so out of ignorance. Those who deny climate change in the face of overwhelming evidence do so out of ignorance, environmentalists say, and it appears Pope Francis is with them. The Vatican is set to host a major conference on climate change this month and the “green pope,” as some are calling Francis, will release an encyclical on the environment this summer.

Homily hint: Responsible stewardship over creation is a theme that goes back to the Book of Genesis. We may be a long way from the Garden of Eden but we can do our best to preserve what remains of our beautiful natural environment and to repair the damage already caused by our rapid industrial growth. Slow down and smell the flowers—while we have them! 

For more on Pope Francis and environmentalism, see: Pope Francis throws the weight of his office behind tackling climate change

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus appears soon after the Resurrection in the midst of a gathering of the disciples. After a five-year investigation, the European Union issued a complaint against the kinds of results that appear in Google searches, charging the internet giant with skewing results so that its own shopping service appears ahead of those of competitors. The ruling could change the rules for business online.

Homily hint: It’s a fact of life that businesses large and small try to influence and sway our behavior with their messages. Fair enough, as long as the playing field is level. But without good government oversight, the level of manipulation could get out of hand. Support responsible regulation of business in the interests of fair play and ethical business. 

For more on the EU suit against Google, see: EU accuses Google of hurting consumers, competitors in Web search case; What Is at the Heart of Complaint Against Google?; EU accuses Google of abusing Internet search dominance

This Sunday’s second reading warns members of the early church to avoid blundering into sin. The top spokesman on international affairs of the U.S. Catholic bishops warned Congress against blundering into delicate negotiations going on between world powers and Iran over that nation’s nuclear ambitions. The bishops support the framework for a final agreement recently announced and “oppose efforts that seek to undermine the negotiation process or make a responsible multi-party agreement more difficult to achieve and implement,” Bishop Oscar Cantu, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace Committee, wrote to House and Senate lawmakers on Monday.

Homily hint: Bishops’ statements on anything sexual make the headlines, but when the bishops speak out forcefully for peace and diplomacy, as they have in the case of the Iran negotiations, it is barely noted. Let’s make sure the bishops are heard on this crucial matter affecting world peace.

For more on U.S. Catholic bishops’ support of Iran agreement, see: U.S. Catholic bishops back Obama on Iran, warn Congress against meddling

"We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom."

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Report counts sharp spike in global anti-Semitism