Blog Posts Across One Book Many Voices

Minister’s Corner Jonathan Jones, sfo “As Jesus was the true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all they are and do.” ( Art. 8, SFO Rule) On July 15th, we celebrated the feast of Saint Bonaventure. Born during the time of Saint Francis, he attended the University of Paris, became both a Franciscan friar and professor while at that university. He would become the 7th Minister General of the Order, and because of the work he did bringing the Order together… Continue

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

Yesterday, I attended a MBS luncheon, where I saw and heard a very wonderful presentation on the social justice work of Catholic and Buddhist nuns. Some of the Power Point picture of Catholic nuns brought back a flood of memorys. From elementary school to high it was the nuns who educated me, formed me. Some of them terrified me, bullied me, while others encouraged me, helped me to grow. During those years I witnessed the change of the nuns style, from the full Pre-Vatican II habit, to business… Continue

Pope Benedict arrived in this country yesterday. Even before his plane landed, the clergy abuse scandal was on the front page of every web news site. Somebody commented that the scandal is the elephant in the room, it cannot be ignored. It has caused, and still causes a lot of pain for the vicitims, it has shaken the faith of thousands of Catholics, and the fall out is still being felt. The american bishops no longer have the moral authority they once enjoyed in teh country, when they spoke out… Continue

Minister’s Corner Jonathan Jones, sfo “As the Father sees in every person the features of his Son, the firstborn of many brothers and sisters, so the Secular Franciscan with a gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ” (Art. 13a, SFO Rule) I was recently watching a program on a public television channel called “Status Anxiety.” The episode I watched dealt with the drive that many Americans feel to climb the social ladder, to improve their status… Continue

This is first attempt at keeping a blog, so we will see how it goes. First a little background, I am a born and bred Catholic, the oldest of six children. I grew up during the time of the Second Vatican Council, as an altar server, I witnessed close hand the beginning changes in the Catholic liturgy. From an early age I have felt a call to service, but the Holy Spirit has lead me on a roller coaster ride, with twist and turns, ups and downs. The journey lead me to Saint John’s Seminary in Brigh… Continue