Author Archives: Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Unknown's avatar

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 for a Landscaper

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

“It’s but a moment.” That’s what the nurse told you twenty minutes ago waiting to see your doctor. Its length is unknown to us because time contains unknown moments and also contains those single, solitary moments. One moment occurs and … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“We Can Be Kind,” Nancy LaMott

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Is this just another new year or another repeating year only with the next number? Enlighten? The light of Christ living within is? The star that brought nations together? Or, the dark selfishness of ours? The eternal song sings for … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Grandfather Clock and Time”

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

There’s a living thing living in my apartment. It’s hung on the wall for over thirty years because I was too cheap to purchase the floor version. It’s the fourth living thing in my apartment after counting my two cats … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The “Holy Family” & Your Family

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

“Dysfunctional Family” was the buzz word in the ’80’s to describe your family but never the family next to yours. It was that somehow your family did not meet the expected assembly of what we firmly call, “Family.” For me, … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“I pretended to be them, so I could be me”

Posted on December 24, 2023 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

So, a child’s imagination begins by witnessing the magic adults perform every day. Slowly, that youthful seed is planted, watered and cared for. If you don’t identify with the plant metaphor, then please consider an infectious bug growing and spreading … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Leave a comment

“Keep Your Fork”

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

God sent His Son, His only Son, to save the world through redemptive words and actions of love, mercy, and hope. We acknowledge and honor that great event once again. God did a pretty good job, don’t you think? Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

“The Mystery of Faith”

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

That’s the line the priest says at Mass after holding up the bread and wine and repeating… or is it declaring, the very words of Jesus at the Last Supper. “Throw-away-line” to move us on to the next part? Hardly. … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | 1 Comment

Sunsets & Advent

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Whether attentively driving home on a bustling lane-changing Chicago expressway, preparing dinner for your family and warming a single portion for your child at some school practice, watching the nightly news with its nightly, frightening stories; or like me gazing … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent | Tagged | Leave a comment

Advent Poem

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Don’t Hesitate by Mary Oliver If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plentyof lives and whole towns destroyed or aboutto be. We are not wise, and not very oftenkind. And much can never … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Leave a comment

Advent I

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

In the lives of those who believe and pray, you can be sure of bleak winters of the spirit. We seem to go along so well for a while in prayer and relationships and life, but from season to season … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment