SJBExcelsior Podcast

How do we enter into prayer? How do we enter into Mass? Fr. Carlson gives practical tips to be less distracted and more present.

Deacon Michael unpacks the parable of the Good Samaritan, explaining who each of the people in the story represent. He also invites us to reflect on the times we’ve chosen the other side of the street, rather than helping someone in need. We are called to serve no matter the cost, knowing that God will give us the grace.

Do we cry to God with joy, as the psalmist says in Psalm 66? This week, Fr. Carlson invites us to praise God for His goodness, in small moments and in big.

Jesus didn't call Peter and Paul because they were perfect.

Fr. Carlson connects the Old and New Testament to reflect on the great Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ).

What does Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory have to do with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity? Watch Fr. Carlson's homily to find out.

In his homily for Pentecost Sunday, Fr. Carlson reflects on one of his favorite prayers - “Come, Holy Spirit, Come”.

Deacon Michael describes how the feast of the Ascension is a great feast of hope. “...he ascended, not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before.” – Preface I for the Ascension of the Lord

Sixth Sunday of Easter - 5.25.2025

It’s a simple line to say "love one another" - it’s harder to practice it.

Our lives are so full of noise. A key part of our journey is the need to cultivate silence. Fr. Carlson gives practical tips on how to hear the voice of God.

Fr. Carlson shares a homily on Divine Mercy Sunday from the late Pope Francis.

The Resurrection changes everything.

We can ignore Jesus, mock him, scourge him, yet he still gives himself to us. This is how great His love is for us.

"Jesus came not to destroy those he found, but to seek those who were lost." —St. Augustine

When you go to Confession, do you feel like you’re going to the principal’s office because you’re in trouble? Or you feel like you’re going to a feast? In Confession we go to the arms of the Merciful Father, who celebrates with great joy that we are there, and who throws a feast in our honor.

The key to prayer is to actually do it. Fr. Carlson shares two practical tips on prayer.

Our true citizenship is in heaven. Are we willing to choose the Lord over the world?

Fr. Carlson uses the image of a garden to reflect on Jesus' work in our hearts.

We shouldn't ignore God's commands, even if they're difficult. Deacon Michael shares from his own experience how to let God in to these areas that are difficult for us.

What truly satisfies us? We can try all we want to make the world our happiness, but it will never fulfill us. Only God can.

Enter into deep relationship with Jesus. Homily - 2.9.2025 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus is the light in the midst of darkness. He is always with us. In a Catholic Church, you will always see a red sanctuary candle lit by the tabernacle (except on Good Friday and Holy Saturday), which indicates that Jesus is present in the tabernacle.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 26, 2025

When God asks us to do something, he gives us the grace to do it. Fr. Timothy Combs O.P. Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 19, 2025