Author Archives: Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

You’re young and show up for practice to teach you the tools you need to efficiently perform your sport. You regularly practice and never miss a practice (verb and noun from the same word) until you get it right. That’s … Continue reading →

(A reflection for people from first to eighth grade. After taking to an eighth grader at the end of a class I taught, he dared me to include saying, “rocking chair” in a sermon. I met his challenge.) It’s interesting, … Continue reading →

“The foolish ones [virgins] said to the wise [ones], ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to … Continue reading →

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. … Continue reading →

We pray for them as though their destiny can be changed. We talk about them as the “poor souls in purgatory” when purgatory is the gateway to heaven. (They ain’t “poor,” by any means folks.) Years ago, on this day … Continue reading →

Your parent tells you, “Stop pretending!” “Do your homework.” “Take out the garbage.” So you stop pretending and return to the real world. “The real world,” whatever that is. Pretending is to be something you are not. Trick or treating … Continue reading →

The Jewish faith has six-hundred and thirteen commandments, Christians narrowed it down to ten and Jesus winnows it further with two by saying loving God above all else and loving your neighbor as yourself. The Jews write a lengthy book … Continue reading →

“God grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, All right, I have something important to tell you. It’s not easy to talk about it but my therapist said that, “Talking about it will make a difference in … Continue reading →

God of all seasons, We are caught up now in “in between” seasons again. The summer and fall provided by You were glorious. Thank you. Winter awaits us with Wisconsinites all asking the piercing question, “What kind of winter will … Continue reading →

St. Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure…” Someone says, “Life is so complicated,” which it is not. Another declares, “Life is overwhelming,” turn off your cell phone and TV … Continue reading →