Author Archives: Deacon Jonathan Jones ofs

“Behold, Your Savior Comes!”

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Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you righteous;
for praise is fitting for the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp;
with a ten-stringed lute sing songs to God.
O sing a song that is new; 
play skillfully, with shouts of joy.

For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all God’s works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justices and right; 
God’s faithful love fills the earth.

Psalm 33

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King – Homily

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St. Peter’s Church, Plymouth MA

“Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did it for me.”


Recently, on different media platforms, there have been debates on what it means to be Catholic. These discussions are taking place in some of our Catholic newspapers, magazines, and of course the Web. They run the gamut of being restrained and thoughtful; to hot and heavy. They draw the attention of some Catholics, while others show no interest whatsoever.


In today’s Scripture readings, we are seeing another approach being placed before us. Jesus outlines what it means to be a follower of His; to care for the poor, the imprisoned, the abandoned. And we are left with the question, as this year draws to a close; how did we as individuals, as a family, as a community of believers, answer the needs of the poor around us. We are summoned to share with others, not only from our surplus, but from our scarcity. We are called to reach out our hands to others who are distressed, and provide comfort and hope. To embrace the stranger, the wounded, whether physically or mentally, and give them hope.


Now the challenge then is to find out in what ways can we answer those needs. Because we are many different types of people, with different strengths, different skills, different attitudes. There are some us who are very out going, who are comfortable with strangers. Others among us, maybe not so much, but are generous, being able provide for the persons physical needs. Sometimes, all it takes is a smile and a handshake to lift a persons spirits.


There are many ways that we as individuals or as a group can care for those in needs, there are many different approaches that we can take to provide for those in need. We only need to take that first step, that first reaching out our hand; Jesus will take care of the rest.


“Then the king will say to those on his right; ‘Come, you who are blessed by my my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ “

Changes in the Franciscan Family

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St. Francis of Assisi

On October 17, 2023, six American Provinces of Franciscan Friars (Order of Friars Minor) gathered together in a joint Chapter. The Friars then officially merged into one Province, to be known as the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. One can see the need for such an action; the number of Friars have been dwindling. It was probably felt that the Friars could be more effective together in one Province, than in multiple Provinces.

At one time, a loooong time ago, I entered the formation program for the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province. I would eventually feel that I was being called elsewhere, but I treasured my experiences with the Friars. When I was working in Boston, I would regularly visit St. Anthony’s Shrine, located in downtown Boston. It was maintained by the Friars of HNP. It was and still is a place where people can find spiritual refreshment. A place where one can find a kind and understanding Friar for confession.

Hopefully, this merger will be a source of rebirth for the American Franciscans.

If you are interested in learning more the Franciscans merger, go on Facebook and look for “The Anthonian Franciscan.”

“Good Pope John!”

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Pope John XXIII

Saint John XXIII was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, in 1881. Born to an Italian peasant family, the fourth child in a family of fourteen. He felt called to the priesthood, and entered a seminary. Encouraged by his spiritual director, he joined and was professed into the Secular Franciscan Order. He was ordained a priest in 1904.

In 1905, he served as secretary to the bishop of the Diocese of Bergamo, Italy. When World War I began, Father Roncalli was drafted into the Italian Army as stretcher bearer. He would receive promotion to the rank of sergeant for his work. He eventually was made a chaplain within the army.

He would enter the diplomatic service for the Holy See, He was sent to Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece. He would be consecrated a bishop and eventually an Archbishop. While in Turkey, during World War II, he used his diplomatic status to help Jewish families escape the Nazi persecution.

After the war, Roncalli remained active in the Papal diplomatic service. He served as nuncio in France for a time. In 1958, he was both made a Cardinal and named Patriarch of Venice, Italy, which also made him an Archbishop.

In 1958, with the death of Pope Pius XII, a Papal Conclave was called. After eleven ballots with no results. The Cardinals settled on Cardinal Roncalli, as a “caretaker” Pope. He would prove be anything but a “caretaker.” He summoned the world’s bishops to an Ecumenical Council, known today as Vatican II. With his encouragement, the bishops discussed matters concerning the life of the Church, and its relationship with the world. From it would come documents that would renew the Church.

He would not see the end of this great project. John XXIII died on June 3rd, 1963. He was canonized a saint in 2014.

Happy Feast Day, Francis!

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Today, the Church, indeed, the world, celebrates the life and works of Saint Francis of Assisi! He was born into a merchant class family, in the town of Assisi, in the province of Umbria, Italy.

In his youth, he was known as a party boy. He had dreams of being something more. He dreamed of becoming a knight, of entering the noble class. He got the opportunity to earn a knighthood, when Assisi went to war with its rival town of Perugia. The battle went badly for Assisi, and its army was decimated. Francis found himself a prisoner of war, held in very harsh conditions. When he was released, his body and spirit were broken.

Back in Assisi, he underwent a conversion experience, determined to live a holy life. He began to visiting chapels that dotted the Umbrian countryside. He came upon a chapel, named San Damiano, that was dilapidated. While praying before its crucifix, he heard it speak to him, “Rebuild my house, for it is nearly falling down!” So began Francis life of service, starting with repairing chapels, to caring for the poor, to striving to live the Gospel life. By words and deed, he would attract followers from all over Italy. His example would inspire millions.

This day, in the days that follow, it be good for us to reflect on his life. To read his words, to follow his example of prayer and service, we can bring the Gospel to life, as he did!

Pax et Bonum!!!

“And Now You Know The Rest Of The Story!” Sermon for the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time

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Saint Peter’s Church, Plymouth MA

“And so I say, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Matt 16


There are some of us who probably remember radio reporter and commentator, Paul Harvey. He had a segment during which he would describe a historical event, a story of some famous person. He would always end the segment with the words; “ And now you know…the rest of the story.”


In today’s Gospel reading, we are seeing Jesus trying to learn how the crowds are describing him. And he gets various responses, various descriptions. I picture Simon, getting very antsy, he has something he has to let out. So when Jesus specifically asks the other disciples how they would would describe him, Simon blurts it out, excitedly, forcefully; “You are the Christ!” One can picture the other disciples stunned by his response, the force behind it. Then they will be stunned again when they hear Jesus’ response; he declares that from that moment on, Simon will be known as Peter, and on this “rock” Jesus will bring about a community of believers dedicated to proclaiming the Good News by word and deed.


Yet, we all know what is coming. The Gospels tell of the many times Peter seemed not to get the point of Jesus’ teachings. And when Jesus is arrested and sentenced to undergo crucifixion, Peter denies knowing Jesus, when the crowd accuses him, in order to save his own skin.
Now Jesus knew that this was coming, and he had earlier told Peter that he would be able pull himself together, and that it would be Peter’s responsibility to help the other Apostles to do likewise.


And when Christ ascended back into heaven, Peter fulfilled that role, pulling that little band of believers together. And on the day of Pentecost, empowered by the Holy Spirit; he and the others came out proclaiming the Good News about Jesus Christ. And the number of believers grew.


We are all gathered here today, as baptized believers, as believers who entered into the Body of Christ, through receiving the Eucharist. We are the spiritual descendants of the Saint Peter, of the other Apostles; of Saint Paul of Tarsus, and all of the other saints. We are all called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, by our words and our deeds.


However, we have to acknowledge that sometimes, like Peter, we may find ourselves failing to put the teachings of Jesus fully into practice, in our lives. We may find ourselves overwhelmed by the way Jesus is asking us to follow.


Again, we turn to the example that the life of Saint Peter sets before us. His recovery from his failures, is an example to all of us. His life provides us a light, which shows us the way. That we too can recover from our own failures and sins. His life, and his actions encourages us to pick ourselves up when we fall; and begin again with a renewed commitment, to follow Jesus, and by our example, to bring others along with us on that journey.


“And now you know the rest of the story!”