Minister’s Corner Jonathan Jones, sfo “And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them.” (Acts 2: 2-3) “Abba Joseph, a desert father, was approached by Abba Lot, who informed him that he had kept his rule of prayer, fasted, purified his thoughts, and lived peaceably---what more could he do? Abba Joseph held out his hands towa… Continue

"The most important one is this: 'Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second most important commandment is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment more important than these two." (Mk12:29-31, GNT) I sometimes listen to a public radio program "Speaking of Faith," through the Web. Their current program is an interview with Karen… Continue

One thing I have learned about keeping a blog, if you do not write in it frequently, you will have a lot of material ot write about at one sitting. Last Thursday, May 1, 2008, was the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Worker Movement by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. It was on that day, many years ago, that Day and her helpers sold the first issue of the Catholic Worker newspaper for a penny, in New York City. Ever since then they have been a prophetic voice in the Church and the… Continue

The great temptation for any preacher, on or after the Boston Marathon, is to quote from one of St. Paul's runner's examples. Well, I always have a hard time resisting temptation. "I am striving to the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course, my brothers, I really do not think that I have already won it ; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. so I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize,… Continue

Roman Catholicism is very big on liturgy, on ritual. This past week I witnessed the celebration of the Eucharist on a wide spectrum. One was watching the Papal Mass that was celebrated in Washington DC. This was liturgy on the grand scale. Large orchestras and choirs, long processions of vested clergy, bishops in their mitres, the Pope coming in with his large papal staff. The celebration was both solemn and grand, reminded me of a prayer service in one of the mega churches, only larger. I am su… Continue