Category Archives: About Me

It Has Been Awhile

Posted on by

It has been a long time since I have tried to create any content on this blog. Since I have been silent, a lot has happened in the World, the Nation, and the Church. Despite all this, I have found it hard to, as one blogger puts it; “Hit those damn keys!”

I have found a group of parishes, a Collaborative, to minister as a Deacon, yet because of my work schedule, I have no time for ministry, outside of a liturgical ministry. Even that is not as available, because each Collaborative parish has it’s own homegrown Deacon. I preach, but getting a homily written is proving to be very difficult. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit has been with me, and my sermons have been well received.

Now, we find ourselves in a time of crisis; a health crisis. The pandemic, that is known as the Coronavirus is sweeping the world. The country is in crisis; the Church is in crisis! And we really do not know yet how it is all going to turn out. Yet the most moving sight for me, was of Pope Francis, alone in a dark, empty, rainswept St. Peter’s Square. He was praying for the people the world, and the Church. He ended the service by going into the basilica, then came out out again, holding a golden monstrance, which held a consecrated Host; the Body of Christ. Making the sign of the cross with the monstrance, bestowing a blessing “Urbi et Orbi;” to the City of Rome and to the World. In spite of the virus, in spite of death, fear, despair; the love of Christ is with us now and forever.

I am typing this on my new IPad; hopefully it will help me be a little more inspired. And be able to make a little more since. May the Lord be with you all. Be safe; be at peace.

Been Offline For Awhile

Posted on by

Some may have noticed I have silent for awhile.  Multiple factors are involved.  Primarily, I do not have have a working computer at the moment,  What posts I have been able to make is via smartphone, and just do not have the thumbs for it.  Add a touch of the flu; and a case of writer’s block, well, you can guess the rest.  Do not know how this will all work out, but we will see what happens.

Stumped!!

Posted on by

This post illustrates how stumped I am!  The WP Daily Prompt for yesterday, Sunday, was “Stump;” today is Monday!  I fully intended to write something; God knows there was enough ideas, with it being 9/11 yesterday; the Sunday Scripture readings; the news!  But the thought of struggling with a cranky laptop, or an ancient desktop (we are still using XP!), dampens my enthusiasm.  Right now, I am typing this on an IPhone (Thank God, not a GalaxySE; do not want to lose fingers!), and my thumbs are not trained for this.  Well, right now, back to the real world of work; and hope to do better tonight.  Maybe.

Brief Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent – 2016

Posted on by

 

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.

 

Keep On Moving On!

Posted on by

Job Search Continues

“I wait patiently for God to save me;

I depend on him alone.

He alone protects and saves me;

he is my defender and I shall never be defeated.

Trust in God at all times,

my people.

Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge.”

(Psalm 62: 1-2, 8)

I have posted several times about my layoff, and the aftermath.  I have written about the struggles with unemployment assistance, the uncertainty of the job search situation, and the depression that can come with the experience.  I do not want to give the impression that everything in my life is doom and gloom.  I am not alone in dealing with this new chapter in my life; there is my wife, who has supported me, and when needed, has given me a much needed kick in the ass.  There have been family members, from both sides, who have provided help and support in so many ways.  There are some members of my parishes, and parish staff, who always inquire on how I am doing, and encourage me onward!  My brother deacons continue to be very supportive; some have been an informal networking group for me.

I continue to discover, through the Career Place, and through the Web, new ways to job search; how to get my name and resume out there.  At the Career Place, whether in a workshop, or a seminar, you come to realize that you are not the only one going through this.  The thing I have to do now is to get my butt in gear.  To not just sit and rot, but to get going, to greet each day as an opportunity; not just in job searching, but in those activities that also feed my mind, body, and soul.  My job searching will continue to take priority, but also my need to just get out, walk around, get some decent exercise, and enjoy God’s Creation, especially as Spring is really beginning to dawn.  This blogging, this writing, is an outlet for my creative and reflective juices.  Also taking up the drawing pencil and paintbrush is also another approach I need to look at, and make some time for.

Finally, I need to take care of my soul, to make time for prayer.  And not just liturgical prayer, as important as it is, but also for deep personal prayer.  I need to entire that type of prayer, which opens me to experience God’s Presence in my life, to experience God’s love and care for me, as I am traveling this new road in my life.  In God, I will find my refuge during the tough times; in God, I will recognize the joy and love that is out there in the world.  So I am just going “keep on shuffling!”

Let Me Introduce Myself….Again!

Posted on by

Photo 2

Greetings!  My name is Jonathan Jones.  I am a married Roman Catholic, a Secular Franciscan, and a Permanent Deacon.  I am writing this blog, because as St. Francis of Assisi is believed to have tell his followers, “preach often, and if necessary, use words.”  But as Francis preached from his own experiences of a loving God, I hope to share my own spiritual experiences with you.  I am also a child of Vatican II; I grew up during the Council, was educated by nuns and priests influenced by the Council, and believe firmly in the teachings that came out of the Second Vatican Council.  So my view of the world and the Catholic Church are colored by that experience, and I wish to share those views.  I have also been influenced by many spiritual fathers and mothers, living and dead.  These include my parents, Franciscans, religious and lay, among them: Francis and Clare of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Bonaventure, and Angela of Foligno.  Others include: Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, St. John XXIII,  and Henri Nouwen.

My life experience has been varied, unique and interesting.  I have been a diocesan seminarian, and a Franciscan novice.  I have worked in the mutual fund industry for almost 33 years and have recently been laid off, and looking for work.  I am married to a wonderful woman, whose name is Peg, for a little over 26 years, who has been very loving, and very, very patient with me!

So all this I bring to the table, as I view my Church, my state, my nation, and my world.  I wish to share my views with you, and hope you will share yours with me.  Pax et Bonum!