Author Archives: Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

It is so damn easy to dismissively and unproductively damaging to reduce a parent to those three darn Witches, “Coulda,” “Woulda,” and “Shoulda.” It is damaging to your memories and in your rememberings. My heart and soul about her, many … Continue reading →

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under roof…” Unworthy? Ummm… Abraham was not only too old but enjoyed the company of a mistress and it wasn’t tea and crumpets. Abraham’s wife boldly laughed at God, Noah was … Continue reading →

H, A and F. Three words that are not feelings but reactions while watching the current source of news. Hate ignites unbridled anger (the next word) with not outlet or release. Anger is the reaction to unfolding hatred with a … Continue reading →

Living in the past and reliving the past is always the easiest because there is rarely, if ever, a change. It is also among the worst of our habits, both physically and spiritually. Thoughts and sentences inevitably begin with two … Continue reading →

“Who are those guys!?” It’s repeated so often in the film to make its point poignant. It’s this mysterious posse in dedicated pursuit far away but still in view to these two culprits. It’s Paul Newman and Robert Redford in … Continue reading →

Close enough. Close enough. In the hospital, after opening up your heart, the heart surgeon says to you in the recovery room, “Close enough,” as you choke on your tiny ice cubes. “Close enough.” Never said out loud, but it … Continue reading →

These are the things I learned in kindergarten: Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. The Savior “shall proclaim peace to the … Continue reading →

One of my favorite words that I use at funerals for an energetic person is indefatigable. I love to say it, and I love its meaning. Another gem of a word to both pronounce and to know and feel its … Continue reading →

How can any of us aspire, pray, and work toward perfection while remaining, always and anywhere, imperfect? It’s a perfectly solid question with a perfectly perfect, imperfect answer. Let’s take the precision of perfection first. Music is the epitome of … Continue reading →

The website for my car has the top banner words “navigate, connect, and discover.” I would add a fourth word, but that’s at the end of my little ditty. Truer words could not describe not only that thing in my … Continue reading →