SJBExcelsior Podcast

"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

Fr. Andy McAlpin O.P. invites us to look again at the Sacrament of Baptism.

Have you ever encountered God? Or maybe encountered him in a new way? The magi departed by another way when they left Bethlehem - they were changed by their encounter with the Lord.

What do we do when we have loved ones who have fallen away from the faith? Fr. Carlson reflects on this reality in his homily from the Feast of the Holy Family.

The Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord December 25, 2024

Fr. Carlson uses the image of a garbage truck to illustrate what we are supposed to do with our anxieties.

What does it look like for us to really prepare a place for the Lord? The Lord wants to dwell inside of us, in our hearts. Advent is the perfect time to take an inventory of our life, of our soul - where am I blocking the Lord? Where have I put up a wall, not letting the Lord completely in? A great way to make room in your heart for God, and remove any blocks, is to go to the Sacrament of Confessi...

This Sunday's Gospel reminds us what we are living for. Advent is all about preparation. If we were told we had to swim a mile a month from now, we would take time to prepare for it. Just so, we need to prepare for our ultimate goal - being with God.

November 24, 2024 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Let God be the one that fills your heart.

Jesus is the personification of love. In light of this, Fr. Van Sloun unpacks the two very important instructions Jesus gives to his disciples in the Gospel this past Sunday.

How are we supposed to love God with all of our mind? What does that mean? Spending time in prayer. The key to prayer is that we actually have to do it. When we do, we’re able to enter into this quest, this journey with the Lord.

Sometimes we can question - does Jesus really know me? Am I worth it? When Jesus was on the cross, he answered these questions definitively. He knew all of your past sins, all of your present sins, and all of your future sins, and he still died for you. Why? Because he loves us. Because he loves you. And he came to serve.   Jesus longs to be our servant. Will we let him serve us? Will we acknowled...

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time October 13th, 2024

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time October 06, 2024