SJBExcelsior Podcast

Making Choices

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 11/8/20 – Fr. Gjengdahl Homily

Fr. Nels Gjengdahl has a great perspective on the Parable of the Talents. We make choices all day long - big, small, visible, mental choices. We may say to ourselves that we're not bad people; we don't do bad things. But what we SHOULD be asking ourselves is what GOOD are we doing? How are we sharing the talents and gifts God has given us? Are we leading others to Christ? Let us take time this week to reflect and pray - to turn our hearts and minds to God.

Finding Happiness

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 11/8/20 – Fr. Carlson homily

Everyone wants to be happy - that's just how we were made. Unfortunately, studies show that depression is skyrocketing in our country. We are made in the image and likeness of God so it makes sense that true happiness/fulfillment/joy can only come from Him.

Fr. Robert Spitzer is a Jesuit priest, speaker and author who has written on this subject of happiness (he even had a debate with Stephen Hawking on the existence of God). Fr. Spitzer identifies 4 levels of happiness that Fr. Carlson will break down in today's homily. We take a look at these four levels of where to find TRUE JOY and fulfillment

4. Ultimate Good - Enduring
5. Contribution - Long term
6. Achievement - Short term
7. Pleasure - Immediate

Pray for Us

Solemnity of All Saints 11/1/20 – Fr. Carlson homily

On this Solemnity of All Saints, we look to all the saints in heaven who inspire us and intercede for us. It's great to see their example of how they lived their lives and turned to God. Today we hear about Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Father McGivney and their great witness of charity and faith!

We ask all the saints to pray for us!

A Time to Contemplate Our Need for God

30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10/25/20 – Fr. Carlson homily

What is the greatest commandment? Who is my neighbor? What's the meaning of life?

When we take a step back (like covid has forced us to do), we have time to reflect, examine and contemplate life. During the shut down, did you feel an increased need for God? Did you long to receive the Eucharist?

We hope you have found St. John's Catholic Parish to be a place of light and refuge during this time! A place to experience God's love. And we hope to continue to offer ways to support you in your faith journey. On this Stewardship Sunday, please complete your pledge card so we can budget our ministries for this next year!

Belonging to God

Belonging to God

29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10/18/20 – Fr. Carlson homily

In today's Gospel from Matthew 22, the Pharisees are trying to entrap Jesus - which is never a good idea. His reply is very insightful - "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." What belongs to God? We do! We are made in His image and likeness - we bear the image of the Divine Emperor.

The Invitation

28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10/11/20 – Fr. Riley homily

Thank you to Fr. Riley Durkin for returning this weekend to celebrate Masses with us! Congratulations on your ordination and we wish you all the best in the Fargo Diocese!

Fr. Riley gives a great explanation of today's Gospel reading from Matthew. We have received an invitation to the banquet of the Eucharist. Mass is just a preview of the banquet of eternal life we have been called to. How will we respond?

The Vineyard

27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10/4/20 – Fr. Carlson homily

All of the readings today are rich in meaning! Let's dig in and look at the parable in the Gospel passage from Matthew. We have the landowner (God), the vineyard (the House of Israel), and the servants (prophets). Can you imagine the landowner sending even more servants and even his own son to be treated this way?! But that is how much God wants us to choose the kingdom of heaven.

Let us pray that we may choose to accept this great invitation from the Lord to work in His vineyard, to bear fruit, and to gain eternal life.

A Repentant Heart

26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9/27/20 – Fr. Carlson homily

We continue on in Matthew's Gospel and can see a common theme - God's mercy and forgiveness. This makes sense given that Matthew was a tax collector (a sinner) and experienced God's mercy firsthand. God WANTS to be merciful - if we just TRY to turn away from sin. A great example of this was Saint Mark Ji Tianxiang who was addicted to opium even when he died! There is always hope! Saint Mark Ji, pray for us!

The Generosity of God

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9/20/20 – Fr. Carlson homily

Today's Gospel is only found in Matthew's Gospel (so we only hear it once every three years). But when we do hear it, we usually always have the same response - that's not fair! Why would a laborer who only worked for one hour get paid the same as someone who had been there since 6 am?! But God is ALWAYS generous and merciful to EVERYONE with the gift of eternal life! When we dig deeper into this scripture passage, we know that we can't receive MORE than the gift of eternal life. Let us REJOICE in God's mercy and RESPOND to His invitation today.

Mercy and Forgiveness

24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9/13/20 – Fr. Carlson homily

In today's Gospel from Matthew 18 we continue on in this discourse between Jesus and His disciples. Peter asks how many times he must forgive someone. Jesus really puts His answer into perspective! Can you imagine owing someone trillions of dollars (or 60 million days of wages) and being forgiven that debt?! But then how does this forgiven person act when HIS servant owes him a MUCH smaller amount (100 days wages)? Hmmm I think we can relate to BOTH situations in this story. We are called to forgive one another as God has forgiven us.