Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today, we gather to reflect on the lives and martyrdoms of two holy men, John Jones and John Wall, Franciscan priests who gave their lives for their faith. As you know, this website is appropriately named “franciscanpreacher” because as a Franciscan Friar myself, it is my desire to disseminate more information to you, the faithful, on Franciscan saints which in the regular liturgical calendar, would not be celebrated as memorials or feasts. This way, I can reflect with you on their lives as Franciscan saints, while simultaneously not neglecting the day’s readings which you will hear, or perhaps have heard today already at Holy Mass. This is a memorial of two great Franciscan saints. Their stories are a testament to the power of conversion, perseverance, and the importance of remaining faithful to God, even in the face of adversity.
In the reading from Hosea, we hear God's call to conversion, urging us to turn away from our iniquity and return to Him. God promises to heal our disloyalty, to love us with all His heart, and to restore us to a place of safety and prosperity. This is a message that resonates deeply with the lives of John Jones and John Wall, who lived out their faith in a time of great persecution.
John Jones, a Welsh priest who had been ordained for many years before joining the Franciscans at the age of 60, knew what it meant to be faithful in difficult circumstances. Despite being imprisoned twice for administering the sacraments, he continued to serve his fellow Catholics in secret, eventually returning to England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First. His bravery and dedication ultimately led to his martyrdom on July 12, 1598.
John Wall, born in England but educated in Belgium, also knew what it meant to live a life of faith under duress. He was arrested and imprisoned for his priestly activities in 1678, and was eventually executed the following year. Despite the hardships he faced, he remained steadfast in his commitment to God and his fellow Catholics.
As we reflect on their lives and deaths, we are reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 10:16-23. He reminds us that we will be sent out like sheep among wolves, and that we must be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves. We are not immune from persecution or hardship, but we are not alone. The Spirit of our Father will be speaking in us, guiding us as we navigate difficult situations. Oh the splendour of saintly living in the midst of the corruption, cruelty, and behaviour instigated by the devil! How these individuals will be eternally recompensated by God, beyond those as well, who merely make it to heaven without having suffered, if anything of this sort can exist.
It seems from scripture, that all saints will generally have to endure some kind of hardship, but, John Jones and John Wall show us that even in the midst of adversity, there is always hope. They lived out their faith with enough courage and conviction, so that when the allotted time arrived, they would ultimately give their lives as martyrs for the faith. Their stories remind us that we too can find strength in our faith, even when we are faced with challenges and persecutions and give great glory to God through our resilience out of love for him. If we imitate our Lord in his suffering, we will also have a share in his glory and the reward he gives to those who have loved him.
As we celebrate this feast today, let us pray for the courage and conviction to remain faithful to God, just as John Jones and John Wall did. May their examples inspire us to live out our own faith with courage and perseverance, even in the face of adversity so that like them, we may receive the greatest reward of all, to live with our Father, our Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, for all eternity, knowing that when the going got tough, we loved them to the end, as our Lord loved us to the end, even unto his dying breaths.
May the words of Hosea 14:2-10 be our prayer: "Israel, come back to the Lord your God; your iniquity was the cause of your downfall. Provide yourself with words / and come back to the Lord." May we turn away from our own sin and turn towards God, seeking His mercy and love.
May we also remember Jesus' words: "The Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you." May we seek guidance from the Holy Spirit as we navigate life's challenges, trusting that He will give us the words to speak when the time comes.
And may John Jones and John Wall's examples inspire us to stand firm in our faith, even when it seems impossible. May their stories remind us that our ultimate hope lies not in this world, but in eternal life with God, to come. Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
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