John 3:16

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

indexYou once encountered them at airports but I think they gave up on us weary travelers.  They are no longer strangers but can be your neighbor or even a member of your family.  I’d call them the “John 3:16” crowd.  Perhaps “3:16” is tight enough for our culture’s shortening of names. One translation reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  

There you have it.  All the books in the bible reduced to one simple sentence (and the Catholic bible has even more books than the protestants).  “Do this and this will happen,” is what they are effectively saying.  They should do an advertisement for a cleaning product and enjoy the same success, “it’s clean, easy and there’s no mess.”

 But what happens when you mention the most dreadful word to these absolutists and fundamentalists neighbors and friends of yours?  The word is “sometimes.”  Their already glossed over eyes become even creamier and you may even see smoke emit from their ears upon hearing the most ghastly and scary word that they’ve ever heard; sometimes.

Where is “sometimes” mentioned in the bible?  Where is “sometimes” felt in my life?  Well, sometimes it may be this way and other times it may be that way.  That makes the word “sometimes” synonymous with compassion and love.  Love and compassion are never absolutes, they are fluid and some days and sometimes it is freely given and others times it takes a lot of effort to extend them.

That’s what makes Jesus so paradoxical.  In one biblical passage he makes excellent wine for his mom and then in other says that his mom is everybody except who’s not in this room.  He talks of a kingdom of God being here and then later discourses about bringing havoc to our little homes and apartments.

The Catholic Church provides a questionnaire to those wishing to be married and one question is “if your future spouse is unfaithful to you, it would end the marriage.”  All the future couples say, “yes” as though that’s the correct response.  The Church says, “no, wrong answer and no parting gifts.”

We make easy what is not easy but fluid.  We can make simple what can take years and experience to achieve.  We can reduce when the reduction simply misses the mark.  “Sometimes” is sometimes and other times is, well, other times.  You can introduce sin here as a reason but I prefer the unpredictably yet predictable human life.

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The Cross & the Two Thieves

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.
Jesus Crosses Over

Jesus Crosses Over

Jesus hangs on a cross, a cross that crosses to greater and grander perspectives.  Jesus unites two perspectives through and because of his death.  The cross becomes not only an object to destroy but also a means to unite.  Heaven/Earth, Sin/Grace, Redemption/Judgment.

Evil or shortcomings or weakness or sin or the blind spots in our lives – whatever you wish to call them – can only survive in a vacuum.  To stay alive it only needs itself, no oxygen or input.  No ventilation to open eyes or hearts.  It can only live on its own terms, it’s own limited and narrow perspective.  That’s why as often as “denial” is thrown at us during a personal discussion or argument our evil or sin cannot allow any new information or broadening to be planted in our hearts.  It can only live within its own container.  Whether we call this newness grace or information it is the process that opens that tightly held lid and breaks the container that keeps us from being more than we are or said spiritually, “blessed by God.”

The “unrepentant thief” (no doubt on Jesus’ left side, the left always lose) is so boxed in by his beliefs that no graceful air could ever enter his soul.  He cannot understand why Jesus isn’t doing what he wants to do himself, jump off that cross, kill the Roman soldiers and claim kingship for himself.   The other “thief” (he’s the one of the “right” side) denounces the lefty guy for missing the whole story, the whole of their lives.  He recognizes his evil or weakness and appeals to Jesus to make him bigger in the next life than the small life he lived here.  His wish is granted by the man who crosses over.

Jesus crosses over and offers both what he’s sacrificed.  Evil only knows the closed, goodness only knows the possibilities and breath and depth our lives.  No matter the smallest shortcoming or the ugliest of sin, Jesus crosses over and continually invites, urges and prays for us to cross over to always the greater possibilities of this great gift of life.

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The Apostleship of Parenting

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

The Call

The Catholic Church makes a big deal out of being “called” for religious life.  If you’re not called, then you’re stuck saying , “paper or plastic,” the rest of the your life.

“Call” comes in many forms.  Creation calls us to life and that call continues today.  A “Call.”  Kinda of an old fashioned word.  Rotary or touch?  Mail or email?  Facebook or Twitter.  And, called to what?  A different way of life?  Or is it transforming the life that you now live.  (My vote is on the latter.)

Religious people need to preface their vocational talk with the “The Call.”  A good “Call” story to be told around the supper table is very helpful if you wish to succeed in religious life.  If you weren’t called, then why are you here?”  Or, how do you answer a telephone call that hasn’t rung?

I never received this “Call.”  If the line was busy then perhaps God tried the next guy on the list.

Parenting

I have yet to meet a parent who embraces having a child as a “Call.”  The “Call” is often cold and quick.  This small thing in front of you needs your attention, like, right now.  And that releasing sigh before falling asleep, forget about it.  The “Call” has been summoned and a response needs to be given.

Parenting.  Underrated along with numerous advice – and all with no solutions or remedies; this growing being in your humble home just continues needing attention (and food) and seems to learn at a rapid rate.

Learn.  What I really mean is absorb.  These tiny creatures are zapping into themselves every syllable that is uttered.  They will house these new-found words and hold them and repeat them back to you because you told them to them.  Rascals, they are.

Toilet, feeding, more feeding, lots of sleeping, more toileting, answering the “Why?” question 14 times a day, homework (more homework than you ever produced) until they begin needing transportation and the journey continues forward.

“Call.”  The apostles of Jesus left their fishing jobs, which they probably didn’t like in the first place (since he didn’t ask all the fishermen to join him), they will doubt everything that you say (sound familiar, oh parent out there?), not understand a thing that you’re saying (“Don’t use such big words, mommy!”), not talk to you for months (“She just doesn’t understand me”), fumble along with you through towns and villages (“How many more miles, daddy?”), and when a final, loving time arrives they will disown you (one of them the first pope, by the way) (“I’m working through my parental issues in this support group”), and at your crucifixion they are not even  present (“Oh, mom, the work is unbelievable and the flights are all full”).  After the resurrection they will recognize you (only after multiple introductions, “It’s me, your dad!”).

Finally, after you’ve left this glorious world, they will say, “Wow, that’s my mom up there.  I’m proud of her.”

Proud and scared, parents enter the world of the “Call” and respond to that “Call” through their children.

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Reservoirs of Hope

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Within Us

We do not know where it comes from but there it is. We didn’t need to Google it to find it. Amazing.

We don’t know it got there but we feel it growing inside us. How can hopelessness so quickly become hope-filled? How can weakness suddenly turn itself into strength and perseverance? Go figure.

Cold But Not Frozen

Sources of inner strength and courage are often subjects of periodic news stories that we “Ahhh” about but then return to our drained feelings and the day ahead of us. “That’s those people,” we may mutter to ourselves.

Bad news is delivered to us and we feel void of everything human. Suddenly there is no past or future, just the news that slowly digests itself into our minds and hearts. (And, we only want to spit it out but are unable to do so.)

Job lost, diagnosis given, friend’s lament, child’s woe, neighbor’s concern, an event in one corner of the world.

Fourteen thoughts that you thought could never enter nor fit in your head at one time, all occur at once. And, those fourteen thoughts linger and decide to take up residence in your head, as well.

Eternally Yours

The solutions to our malaise is so abundant these days that it is almost greater than the new guests now living in our heads. All the time, throughout our whole lives, a reservoir of all that we need to regain balance, perspective and calm resides within us.

We thought that we needed to suffer more before endurance would be there to help us. We assumed that more calamity needed to occur in our lives before an inner strength surfaced within us. But there they all are. These strange but familiar friends: courage, strength, perseverance, perspective and the strangest but most familiar of all, patience.

I like the “fire extinguisher image.” You know where it is located and what it is for but you hope that you never need to break the glass and use it. However, once the glass is broken all these friends come barreling out to protect, safeguard and ensure that you see through whatever crisis, tragedy or unbearable situation faces you.

The supply is ample. It is naturally fed each day from the heavens. Its source can be whatever you wish it to be. And, it is yours to guard and keep. After all, it came from within you.

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Fatherhood, A Forgotten Treasure

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Fatherhood

In movies they are portrayed as the awkward people who stumble into love only to discover that it’s their girlfriend’s best friend that they truly love.

Fatherhood. Compared to motherhood there is no comparison. In culture and humanity, motherhood is always the hands-down priority. There is a reason that God is portrayed as “masculine.” Being perceived far away from us and sometimes invisible, it is a fitting gender choice for our Creator. The earth is “feminine” because the place is riddled with new life and encourages fruition to everything within it.

But what about dad? This man who breathes life into every family occasion. Absently invisible best describes the Creator of the created creatures that roam his castle. God breathed life and the world came into existence. God stood back and considered it “good.” How many dads look out over a family gathering and smile to themselves thinking, “Gosh, I did this!” Whether it’s meant as a question or an exclamation; if a family’s foundation is mom, then dad is surely its roof and basement.

Only One

A dad’s investment in family life has improved over the years. It is not uncommon to see a dad pushing the stroller around the neighborhood or changing the child’s diaper in the men’s restroom. (I love the pull down counter most of them have now.)

My dad married later in life so the five of us had a dad that friends referred to as, “Oh, I like your grandfather.” I didn’t want to play ball and my dad didn’t either, so it was a good father/son match.

Quiet, reserve, inward and almost aloof without being unapproachable; my father would listen to any story told to him by his children or grandchildren. Sitting peacefully by the fireplace and savoring his evening cigar, we could have read “War and Peace” to him and he would have complied with our wishes.

A Treasure

My mother died first. She was the vocal one of the pair, the one who disciplined, clothed and monitored homework. “Do what your mother said,” was my dad’s idea of parenting. Simple and clean.

Her passing gradually brought about a hidden treasure that we vaguely recognized as that man who smoked by the fireplace. The hidden treasure of person-hood, personal history and personality unearthed itself.

The earth gave the five of us life, and the breath that we yearned for showed itself during the final eight years of his life.

Treasures are called that because sometimes we need to dig deeply to uncover what is always before us.

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Cable News, But Is It?

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Cable News, But Is It

Shock and Awe

Host: (camera moves constantly and pictures jump in and out)

“Thanks for joining us tonight. I want to share with you some fear, slight fears and still more slight fears (all about people in the opposite political party) in the hopes that you continue watching us for the complete hour. It’s important that you watch us for the full hour. Later tonight I’ll present to you, shockingly, still more fear, and new tonight, some doubt, colored with some fearful overtones that we’re hearing about that will affect your life right now… and you’ll hear it all tonight.

(That’s right after these many, long minutes of commercials talking about how oil companies are best using our money, drugs that will camouflage whatever sexual ailment you may have and local ads dealing with civil lawyers and mattresses…we’ll be right back.)

Fear Sells

Host: “Thanks for staying with us during all those long, boring advertisements but joining me now is three guests who will completely agree with me on all the issues that I’ve raised tonight to increase your fear and, yes, your doubts. Joining me now is Clone One from an online web sight that no one will ever visit, Clone Two is a columnist whose credentials are vague and Clone Three is a consultant for this television station, so you already know what she’ll say.

First off, what about this fear that I’m hearing about today from the other political camp, Clone One.”

Clone One: “Right you are, Host, (whose network invited me to be on your show because of my similar views) the fear today is mounting. I can only hope that it doesn’t explode in the next ten minutes because it is so grave.”

Host: “Here’s a clip from today’s fear. (CLIP) “Did you hear that, Clone Two. I’m amazed that was ever even said.”

Clone Two: (laughingly) “Oh, that’s not new. That person said that two weeks ago and the media still hasn’t pick up on it yet. Luckily, your show has the guts to air that message and get that fear out in the open. Because you know (platitude time) fear always makes us scared and we are not a country to be scared. We will rise to every occasion and fight fear where ever we see it, especially if it is in the other political party.”

Host: “Boy, I couldn’t have said it better myself.” (Why would he have invited her had she said something differently?!) “I have still more pending fear and a sneaky fear that is looming ahead.”

Clone Three: “I saw that earlier this morning and I’m as shocked as you are. And I’m sure that the whole country is shocked as well (speaking for the entire United States, nice touch!) More so, I learned that there is even more fear ahead. We thought that the fear we feared now was fearful; well, just wait because the dust hasn’t settled yet. (Clone Three wishes to be invited back for a future broadcast.)

Host: Well, we’ll just have to wait and see what fear ensues from the fear that I’ve already described. How much fear can this country endure under that political party which is not a part of the political party to which I belong? More to come tomorrow when you need to watch once again because more fear is shown to you without any resolution, no direction and not one solution.”

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Tim Tebow, For Goodness Sake

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Rev. Joe Jagodensky, SDS.

Reactionary

When we are disappointed or rejected, our natural reaction is to, well, react. Often in negative ways, we lash out to cover, hide or displace our emotions. It hurts to be hurt by others. If we let them, our defenses slowly grow until there is an edge to all of our thinkings. We cannot help but be suspicious because of some past or lingering wound.

Sincere

What surprises me the most about football player Tim Tebow’s religious demonstrations is the public’s reaction toward and about him.

I’m late in learning about him and his religious beliefs so it was easy to catch up with all the stories and television profiles about him online. The reaction so easily and quickly turned into sarcasm and jaded jokes that I started to think more about those reacting rather then the actor.

I think that his beliefs are secondary to the cultural story that so quickly showed disdain and shallow dismissal of a young man’s sincerity. That is what I want to hold on to about this young man and wish to remember about him – he is sincere in what he is doing.

As a Catholic, “John 3:16” and his other religious gestures do not speak to me. What affects me the most is his genuineness. Will I some day be fooled if he is not who he says he is? Will I one day be judgmental because he didn’t live up to what he professes? I don’t even know this guy but we all talk about him as though he’s a close friend of ours. What if he fails us in some way?

The Heart of the Matter

I believe that’s where the disappointment and rejection come to haunt us. We were fooled. As the rock group “The Who” sings, “I Won’t Get Fooled Again.” We’ll guarantee it through the cynical walls that we will build, the suspicious bushes that will surround our minds and the locked deadened doors that lead to our hearts. We will ensure that sincerity of this type does not effect or touches our homes again. It’s too painful. It’s too risky. It’s too much of living life.

One spiritual writer said, that “coming into contact with a genuinely good man or a good woman causes in other people something that transcends the realm of thought, a veritable instance of the heart getting back its oxygen. These men and women realize that they are getting back something that is essential to their human life.” These people are triggering, once again, their own human heart through a witness of goodness in someone else. The writer continues, of course, by saying that the source of this goodness is not the person but Jesus Christ. (I like to think that it’s a partnership between us and Jesus and not just him illuminating us; after all, it takes two to tango.)

People like Tebow come and go in our lives but what remains is the remnant of someone authentic, something that genuinely represents the best of humanity and its hope.

Not Tebow, but Us

Tim Tebow cannot depress us back to our jaded ways if some day we discover he has two wives, a mistress and three homes.

Our culture has, unfortunately, dismissed Tebow’s sincerity. It will crucify him (pun intended) if he fails and resurrect him (again, intended) when sponsors return to badge his jersey.

And, all the time we’ve missed the attempt toward goodness. We’ve avoided the heavenly temptation to renew our our hearts and souls. We resort to cheap comic jokes that receive a momentary, swallow laugh from an audience that wishes to not be hurt again.

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