In the psalmist’s view, the Lord “secures justice” but also is “merciful and gracious . . . slow to anger and abounding in kindness.” Pope Francis on Sunday called for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty, saying the commandment “You shall not kill” was absolute and equally valid for the guilty as for the innocent.

Moses oversteps his bounds in this Sunday’s first reading, causing the Lord, in the burning bush, to warn: “Come no nearer!” St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson issued a letter calling on parishes to seek alternatives to Girl Scouts, arguing that the program and related organizations had overstepped the bounds of Catholic teaching in some of its advocacy positions.

Saint Paul reminds readers against hubris this Sunday: “Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” Nicaraguan dictator Gen. Anastasio Somoza Debayle apparently did not get the memo and was overthrown by a popular uprising that involved many Catholic leaders and activists in 1979.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus uses a parable of a fig tree to issue a stern lesson—that which does not foster life and contribute to the good should be uprooted and done away with. Researchers have long searched for a way to uproot and destroy brain tumor cells. A landmark study at the University of North Carolina reveals a technique that turns skin cells into cancer-hunting stem cells in mice.

Not long ago a professor at a Christian college created controversy when she expressed her solidarity with Muslim students by wearing a hijab and stating that Christians and Muslims “worship the same God.” Though some, including the college’s administration, were shocked by the teacher’s statement, Catholics rallied to the professor’s side.

Bertrand Russell declared that, in case he met God, he would say to Him, “Sir, you did not give us enough information.” I would add to that, “All the same, Sir, I’m not persuaded that we did the best we could with the information we had.”

An estimated 160 million people died in wars during the 20th century. Millions more have died since the year 2000.