Last week, for the first time in 111 years, America Media produced and shipped America magazine while all of our staff were working remotely. Your support made that work possible.

I am writing this column from my bedroom in New York on the seventh day of my self-quarantine. Last month I had the honor to co-lead America Media’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Father James Martin.

What became clear over these past seven years is Francis’ unrelenting commitment to creating opportunities for open and mutual encounters between him and others.

The war, the horror, the death and devastation have not disrupted my life in any meaningful way.

The last time Father Malone left this column in my care (4/3/17), I made an argument for reading the long form of the Gospel when the Lectionary gives us that option. Today I’m going to make an even more shocking reading recommendation: You should read the comments.

In so many places, at so many times, forgiveness is the only way out. In that sense, nothing is more practical.