In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus sets a new standard for tolerance and even loving kindness toward those who we might have traditionally thought of as enemies. Whereas Americans used to harbor deep suspicions of those whose religion differed from their own, a new study from Pew Research Center suggests warmer feelings now exist for nearly every major religious group.

In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.

A large majority of Americans (86 percent) say they personally know someone who is Catholic.