Author Archives: Deacon Jonathan Jones

The Birds (A Different Take)

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Friday Fictioneers grey-day-with-pigeons-roger-bultot (1)

He slowly gets out of bed; not wanting to face the coming day.  Looking out of his window, he sees the outside reflecting his mood.  He notices the birds, sitting on the wire, huddled together against the damp.  Suddenly, they all take flight; they appear to be heading for his building!  The birds wheel about and head downward.  It is then, that he notices the little man, dressed in a brown robe.  The birds land all around the little man.  He blesses them, and they all take off; filling the air with their birdsong.  Staring out his window, he smiles.

 

A Wedding Homily

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St. Margaret

St. Margaret of Scotland Church

Last Saturday, April 23rd, at St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Beverly; I had the privilege and honor to officiate at the wedding of a very nice couple.  It was my first wedding ceremony as a deacon, and to say I was a little nervous, would be putting it mildly.  So I put everything in the hands of the Lord, and stepped out into the sanctuary and greeted the handsome groom and beautiful bride.  The ceremony was both simple and powerful.  A single violin provided the music; and the old church never looked better.  The following is the homily I delivered, although I did change it a little as I preached:

 

My friends, we are a gathered here today, to witness something awesome!  We have two unique individuals, Jaclyn and Michael, who soon will become one.  They have been brought together by the power of love; they will be joined together by the power of love.  We are to about to witness, we are about to celebrate a sacrament, the sacrament of marriage.  A sacrament, instituted by Jesus Christ, when it is celebrated, reveals and makes present the divine reality they signify, a visible sign of the God’s grace at work within us.  And we will soon witness the grace of the Father’s love at work within Jaclyn and Michael.  And they are going to be changed down to the core of their being by the grace of God, transformed, and forever changed.  They will be a new creation.

It is love, perfected by God’s grace, which binds them together.  And we need to understand that the love I am speaking about not the sentimental love one sees in Hallmark cards.  It is the type of love that St. Paul describes in his letter to the Corinthians. 

“Love is patient, love is kind…It does not seek its own interests.  It is not quick tempered….It bears all things… believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  (1st Cor ). 

This is what love should be for all of us, in all of our relationships, but especially in a marital relationship.  But I will tell you now, after 27 years of being with the love of my life, with all the joys and happiness, there can still be challenges, there can be some struggles, because we can never know what curve balls life will toss at us.  Even the day to day of living together will bring happy surprises, but also some challenges.  But I can also testify to the fact that you will each have some new discoveries about the other; the majority of which will bring joy and happiness in your life, but some that may drive you up the wall.  It is love that will keep you both on an even keel; it is love that will see you both through.  It is love that will keep the joy alive for both of you.  And as St. Paul says, “Love never fails.”

For love to work though, our hearts, our souls, must be continually open to its source; open to God’s grace through Jesus Christ the Son.  Jesus Christ, who is the prime example of what it means to love, who emptied Himself for love of us all.  We encounter Him in Word and Sacrament , we encounter Him in quiet moments.  And in that encounter, we are refreshed.

It is appropriate that we celebrate this wedding here in this church, named for St. Margaret of Scotland.  She is one of our rare laywoman saints.  She is an example of what a Catholic marriage is all about.  Born in England, she would become Queen of Scotland, after marrying King Malcolm III of Scotland in 1070.  It is said that they had a very affectionate relationship, which was rare for royal marriages of those times.  Together, they had eight children.  She is said to have had a civilizing effect on the Scottish court.  She had a strong spiritual life, and she was known charitable works, supported by her husband.  A true marriage is life enriching for both husband and wife.  And a true Catholic marriage is life giving, by having children, or reaching out to others in need. 

The wonder, the joy of the love of God is made manifest in many ways.  One of them is by this sacrament we are about to celebrate, in what this couple is about to celebrate.  Let us join together, praying for Jaclyn and Michael, for their joy and happiness.  And let us witness something awesome!

#Weekendcoffeeshare First Timer

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If we were having coffee, I would tell you that this is the first time I am writing a post for this.  I would also share with that this is first post I have written in over a month!  There was a time that I was posting at least monthly.  That I really got into the Blogging U. courses.  That I now am having a hard time coming up with anything to write about; to share an opinion about, or have the energy to sit myself at the keyboard.  That there was a time that I had high hopes for my blog, but now I wonder if all the reading, the posting was worth it.

If we were having coffee, I would let you know that I am an ordained Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church.  I would tell you that last Sunday, I baptized three beautiful little babies (Two boys, and a girl), and welcomed them into the Church, into the Body of Christ.  How I invited the parents, the godparents, and guests to open their hearts to the miracle that was happening before them; and be aware of the love of God they were witnessing.

If we were having coffee, I would tell that I need to get through this writer’s block soon, because next weekend, I am officiating at a wedding.  I will be preaching a homily, and I need to write it this week.  I will tell that I turning to the Holy Spirit, and asking her to blow hard and breakdown the roadblocks I have in my head and soul.

As I drain my coffee mug, I would tell you that I am typing this on one of the computers in the parish office.  I have a desktop at home and an inherited laptop; both have had long service, and are kinda cranky in their old age.  Anyway, I have go back to the church soon, to prepare for the next celebration of Mass.

I hope to be here next weekend, with another cup of coffee.

Brief Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent – 2016

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Jesus and the Woman

 

Isaiah 43: 16-21

Philippians 3: 8-14

John 8: 1-11

 

“Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something  new!”  Isaiah 43

“Jesus finally straightened up and said to the her, ‘Woman, where did they all disappear to?  Has no one condemned you ?  ‘No one sir,’ she answered.  Jesus said, ‘Nor do I condemn you.  You may go.  But from now on, avoid this sin.'” (John 8: 10-11)

 

In the past few Sundays, the Scriptures have had the theme of God’s mercy.  Last Sunday it was the parable of the Prodigal Son, this  Sunday, we read of Jesus’ encounter with the woman who had been caught in the act of adultery.  The reality of God’s mercy and love for all His creation has been and is a constant theme in Pope Francis’ homilies and addresses to the world.  Yet, many of us have, sadly, been receiving mixed messages from many the Christian communities.  Both over radio, broadcast television, cable television, and the Web; we hear preachers of all denominations, deliver “fire and brimstone” sermons, condemning sinners to hell.  People who believe themselves to be among the “righteous”, look with disgust, and sometimes hatred,  at those they see being among the “unclean.”

In Jesus times, such individuals also existed, especially those who were among the Temple elite.  They wanted a “pure” holy society; by a strict, unbending obedience to “the Law.”  But they had forgotten what God had spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “…see, I am doing something new!”  Jesus was revealing a loving God, a Father of mercy.  Jesus challenged the leaders of his time, and he challenges us to show mercy and forgiveness to all   those who may have harmed us.  Jesus remind’s us, that none of us are without sin or fault.  As we hope for God’s mercy, so must we give mercy to others.

 

Review of “The Duty of Delight, the Diaries of Dorothy Day

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The Duty of Delight: The Diaries of Dorothy DayThe Duty of Delight: The Diaries of Dorothy Day by Dorothy Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dorothy Day has become one of the famous lay American Catholics. In 1933, with Peter Maurin, she co-founded the Catholic Worker movement; a movement whose aim was to remake American society; socially, and economically, in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This diaries gives one a look into the mind, heart and soul of Dorothy Day, during the many decades she guided, and inspired the CW movement.

It provides a intimate portrait of an activist, organizer, writer, mystic, mother and grandmother. And also allows one to encounter the very human person that was Dorothy Day.

View all my reviews

Quick Reflection on the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

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I am with my wife on Cape Cod visiting her parents.  Attended Sunday Mass.  The Gospel tells the story of Wedding Feast at Cana.  The changing of water into wine was only witnessed by the servants, Jesus’ mother, and his disciples.  It was his first miracle, and it was the beginning of his public ministry; his proclamation, by word and deed of the Good News!

By virtue of our Baptism, we share in Christ’s mission to proclaim the Good News.  We each have a role, as the Holy Spirit gives us the grace; we need but to discern the way we are to go.  Then have the courage to go forward.

Over a Cappuccino – Friday Fictioneers

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coffee_in_mirror_02-1

 

After the interview, he entered the coffee shop.  His mind full of anxieties; his unemployment assistance ended, and savings shrinking.  He swore, as he discovered he could not afford a cup of coffee!  Suddenly, a little man with gentle eyes, dressed in a brown robe, stood next to him, offering him a cappuccino.  They sat at a table, and he felt compelled to reveal his fears to this friar.  The friar tells him “Trust Jesus, he will share your burdens!  Open your heart!”  Suddenly, he feels at peace, he sips the cappuccino, lowers his cup, and discovers he is alone!

 

(N.B.  The cappuccino is supposed to have been named for the Capuchin friars, a branch of the Franciscan Order.  The Capuchin friars’ distinctive brown habit was seen as the same color of the coffee beverage.)