The lesson I take from Jesus’ washing of the feet is this: I do not decide which lives have value and dignity; God does.

I was deeply moved by a visit to the Garden of Gethsemane and to the Church of All Nations that is accessible through the garden.

Couldn’t it be apple juice instead of wine? Isn’t it the principle that matters? It could, of course, but then we would lose everything.

Whether we imbibed that living water at a religious summer camp, in a youth group or simply through the regular practice of attending church with family, we are blessed by the abiding, grounding presence of God, even when we drift away.

Our Lady, who stood weeping at her son’s crucifixion, surely weeps for the cathedral dedicated to her name.

Although it doesn’t always seem so, waiting is an inherently hopeful activity.