SJBExcelsior Podcast

As humans, we can often get bogged down in the details. Navigating life as a Catholic can be hard and seem complicated, but Jesus told us how to live our lives, He showed us by His example. This week, Jesus tells us the greatest commandments and these two commandments really encapsulate the Ten Commandments.

Discerning a vocation can seem daunting. Many may think the call to something like priesthood or religious life is too high or too much is expected, but Father reminds us this week that Jesus called imperfect humans to follow Him. Each time a priest offers the Mass it is both for the people and himself – priests are imperfect humans just like anyone else. We all need Jesus and need to discern how God is calling us to serve Him with our lives.

How do you turn to God in prayer? Do you spill your whole heart, holding nothing back, confidently trusting that God will listen and understand everything you are going through? Fr. Carlson reminds us in his homily this week that God wants us to turn to him and that Jesus humbled Himself to the point of taking on human form and experienced many struggles on this earth just as we do. We can turn to God with confidence knowing His great love for us and that He understands what it’s like to be human.

"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17). How often do we ask the Lord that question? Do we ever ask Him what we personally must do to inherit eternal life? The Gospel today calls us to reflect on where we are placing our trust – Do we trust in God or in earthly things and our own abilities?

Divorce in our current culture is common, but this week we are reminded that from the beginning of creation it was not so. Marriage is meant to be lifelong and the Catholic Church is one of the few faiths that teaches of its permanence.

God is greatly merciful, but this week's Gospel reminds us that we need to choose God, choose His mercy. How can we keep God at the center of our lives and choose Him daily?

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 9/19/21 - Fr. Carlson homily

It's so easy to get caught up in the comparison game. Even the disciples were called out on that in today's Gospel! This is a good reminder to put things in their proper order.

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 9/12/21 - Fr. Carlson homily

Today's Gospel from Mark is really a turning point. We see that the apostles recognize Jesus as the Christ, the long-awaited Savior. To be a Christian is more than just saying you believe in Christ, but also to taking up your cross and following Him. We pray for the strength to do that!

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 9/5/21 - Fr. Carlson homily

God often puts people in our lives to assist us when we need. In today's Gospel reading, a deaf man's friends helped him get to Jesus to be healed.

In reflecting on our lives, when has there been a time when God put someone in your path to assist you? When have you helped someone else? We pray that we can be open to God's will and be thankful for when He provides for us.

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 8/29/21 - Fr. Carlson homily

In today's Gospel reading from Mark chapter 7, the Pharisees challenge Jesus about washing and purification before meals. Jesus' response is that sin is what really defiles us and separates us from God the Father.

When we go to God and ask for mercy and forgiveness from our sins, He will answer AND give us the grace we need.