Many political leaders and social influencers show mercy only to people they agree with. That isn’t what Jesus meant by “Blessed are the merciful.” Can we show mercy consistently in our social media and politics, even to those we don’t agree with?

In the Beatitudes, Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful.” Mercy is compassion in action. How can we show mercy to others? How can our government treat people with mercy, and in what ways is it failing?

Jesus calls us to a different set of values than we see from many star performers and political and business leaders.  Christians are called to live in God’s realm, even as we also live in the world. (Matthew 5:1-12)

Black people have provided lessons in fortitude, character, and excellence that all Americans can benefit from. Attacks on diversity and inclusion discourage access to these stories. Here are some of the role models we can learn from, including Diane Nash and Medgar Evers.

The demand for strict work requirements to avoid being kicked off of Medicaid and food assistance programs is immoral and unChristian.  It is built on the false philosophy, recently articulated by Dr. Mehmet Oz, that you need to “prove that you matter” by working.  To God, every person matters.

In Proverbs 31:8-9, God calls us to speak out for those who have no voice. Who needs our voice? To whom shall we speak? What shall we say? How can we put this Bible passage about justice into action?

In his first official speech, the new Pope Leo XIV reinforced some themes we heard from Pope Francis. But why did he choose the name Leo? Inspired by Pope Leo XIII, he is connecting to the beginning of modern Catholic social teaching, which began with a concern for marginalized workers. What can we learn from Pope Leo XIII?

This is the hardest article I have ever had to write. The second conclusion from my Civil Rights trip is that the treatment of Black people in American history was much uglier than most people know. From slavery to Jim Crow and beyond, the textbooks mostly downplay our ugly truths with language that misses the suffering behind the words.  We cannot hide from the past any more than Adam and Eve could hide from God in the Garden. What was done must be acknowledged.

Pope Francis is rightfully praised for how he focused the attention of the Catholic Church and the whole world on people who are marginalized and left out. He was also a practical teacher with simple wisdom about how to live our everyday lives. He taught that continued discernment is needed after you make a decision, to evaluate whether it was a good decision or not. Is there gratitude to God, renewed energy, and freedom to let it go?

Everywhere you turn in American history, African American history is embedded in the story. Black History Month is not enough; we need to learn how Black history is intertwined with all of American history.

Literacy champion Frank Laubach showed how working to help others and praying constantly in a personal relationship with God go together.

Our society sees through the eyes of billionaires and influencers. God sees from the perspective of the people at the bottom. A comparison.

Actually, the first Christian documents – Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians – used language indicating that Jesus is God 275 years before the Council of Nicaea.

Betty Boynton was a 15-year-old "foot soldier" for voting rights in Selma. Every movement for justice needs foot soldiers. Are you one?

This Black businessman was a quiet leader in the Civil Rights era. His philosophy – find a need and fill it – is useful in difficult times.

Cardinal Robert McElroy champions justice and calls us to protect the powerless, the homeless, workers, the poor, and refugees.

A recent movie and Christian nationalists have misused the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer rather than learning from it.

Joseph and Jesus offer insights on how to deal with political uncertainties.

Civil rights leader Rev. James Lawson was a masterful teacher who showed us how to practice nonviolence and love others as Jesus taught.

Let the one who is without sin do what? The story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery is really about the death penalty.