Author Archives: Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

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About Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

A Roman Catholic priest since 1980 and a member of the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians). www.Salvatorians.com. Six books on the Catholic church and U.S. culture are available on Amazon.com.

Funeral Sermon for Duane Schuler

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

We all would love to be anywhere else in the world then here today. Yet, there is no other place we would rather be then right here, right now. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus … Continue reading →

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Pause

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

The group leader says, “We pause for a moment of prayer” when no one knows how long that pause will last. These days the uselessly used word in our crazy culture proudly declares us to be one of 24/7. TV … Continue reading →

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“The Green Thing,” Retrospect

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the much older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized and explained, “We didn’t have this ‘green … Continue reading →

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The Two’s Our Lives

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Up/DownHere/ThereHe/SheAbove/AroundNoah’sRepublican/DemocratNow/ThenCagney/LaceyStarsky/HutchSimon/GarfunkelHeaven/HellCatholic/Non-CatholicBoy/GirlMan/WomanMarried/DivorcedCats/DogsBruce/Caitlyn JennerYesterday/TomorrowRight/WrongDay/NightEmployed/RetiredBlack/WhiteTime/UniverseCursive/PrintingRight/LeftFerrante/TeicherSandler/YoungChad/JeremyDon/PhilJan/DeanThis/ThatPriest/OthersStraight/GayAbsolute/RelativeLegal/IllHealthy/SicklyYoung/OldSmart/DumbBrother/SisterLiving/DeceasedGood/BadHair/BaldTrue/FalseBeliever/Non-believerSkinny/FatTruth/ConsequencesVanilla/ChocolateHandwritten/EmailHello/GoodbyeMortal/VenialSee/BlindRowan/MartinHear/DeafTongue/HandAction/CouchAngels/DemonsSin/GraceSonny/CherWar/PeaceContent/AnxietyCold/HotEngaged/BoredBorrowed/GoneBeginning/EndingApple/Google There appears to be no “middle ground,” “in-between” is forgotten, “sometimes” is dismissed, “perhaps” is no longer pondered, “what if” and “what about” are non-questions, “assumptions” are forbidden in a dualistic world, “doubts” are punishable, “wonderings and wanderings” … Continue reading →

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Life’s Sacramentals

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Every week we gather around our parish altars. We place on the eucharistic table bread and wine as our offering to God, who consecrates them and returns them to us as the body and blood of his beloved Son. But … Continue reading →

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Funeral Sermon for Truck Driver with a Sense of Humor

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

(“I Know What God Is,” Perry Como, YouTube) A miserable-looking guy is sitting at a bar one evening, intently staring at his drink. He’s been like that for over an hour. Suddenly this big, trouble-making truck driver walks up to … Continue reading →

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Lent, Sunday Four, “B”

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

“Today’s New Testament readings regale us with that most fundamental of Christian convictions, that we have been loved into existence by a God whose very being is Love overflowing. St. Paul reminds us that ‘God is rich in mercy, because … Continue reading →

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Lent, Third Sunday, “B”

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

“We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to many. Suffering sometimes seems unbearable. For Christians, the cross can make us very uncomfortable; it makes the temptation to “hide from suffering” more difficult. The cross reminds us that suffering is. It happens. … Continue reading →

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Life’s Mountains, (2nd Lent Sunday, “B”)

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

(based on the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ) Jesus climbs his way up along with his climbing companions to illustrate for them the union of his life. The union with Elijah and Moses is second only to hearing his Father’s voice … Continue reading →

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A Lonely Lent?

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

“A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 9:14-15 When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they will fast.The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not … Continue reading →

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