Author Archives: Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

It’s a “vineyard” weekend in the Catholic Church. It’s a striking image describing our connections and relationships with each other. Now, many of us don’t know that much about vineyards unless you live in River Hills. Isaiah tells us to … Continue reading →

We just love our “the threes.” How many jokes are told in threes, “A priest, a minister and a rabbi walk into a bar…” Then there’s Patty, Maxine, and Laverne, and how about “Ready, set, go?” “Father, Son, Spirit,” anyone? … Continue reading →

Peter thought he had the best answer to impress the man Jesus. In the public school, he’d tell his friend, “I got this.” In a Catholic school years ago, he’d wave his hand saying, “Sisster, Sisster! It’s 7!” He thought … Continue reading →

(Perry Como sings, “Magic Moments”) Who’s the singer? That song was Burt Bacharach’s fist big hit. “When two hearts beat are caring,” is truly magical. It’s even more natural for us to look for a “magic moment” in religion. We … Continue reading →

It’s the American way. Always looking for something and paying nothing. The advertisers tease us. We tempt ourselves. It’s often called “bait.” And the fish? Are you and me. “Free installation, free admission, free appraisal, free alterations, Free delivery. Free … Continue reading →

“Jesus said, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much … Continue reading →

When do you do your best work? If you’re a morning person, you’re quite pleased with yourself come lunchtime. The afternoon now becomes a cinch. If you’re a “last-minute type of guy,” the time of day doesn’t matter, it’s just … Continue reading →

On any given day or night they are both sound asleep. (Or, are they?) A loud sound, a foreign movement alarms them to alert. But in the meantime, and I mean a long, long “mean time”, they represent what we … Continue reading →

I’d like you to meet two friends of mine. Their names are “Ish” and “Like.” Those are not their baptismal names. It’s the names they’ve carved out for themselves as their lives unfolded. Perhaps you know them as a neighbor … Continue reading →

(No, it’s not a Crosby/Hope movie. It’s taken from St. Ignatius, 17th century and to us today.) It’s a long walk home from Jerusalem, but you’re glad for the exertion. The physical work of walking might ease, just slightly, the … Continue reading →