Thursday, February 15, 2024

Lk 9:22-25

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Each day we must make choices... to be disciples or not, to live as Christ or not. Sometimes things prevent us from making the right choices--relationships, habits, belongings, beliefs, or assumptions. But we have to rid ourselves of these distractions, however difficult, and focus on Christ. This is not a one and done thing because it takes each day to decide if we will live into our beliefs or not. May this Lenten time provide us with many chances to live into our beliefs and to make them more of our daily lives. - Fr. Will

Tuesday February 13, 2024

We are traveling on this Valentine’s Day to the commonwealth of Turks and Caicos. I know it is one of their perks of being me Anyway a very Happy Valentine’s Day to you all. My prayer is that you feel the love that comes your way from your special someone. I love that we can stop and celebrate each other. Love is a gift, a beautiful gift indeed.

In today’s Gospel passage the disciples and Jesus are traveling across the lake as they realize that they only brought one loaf of bread. I can imagine them blaming each other for dropping the ball here. Whose responsibility was it? This preaches in so many ways but on this Valentine’s Day, I want to bring our attention to taking care of the little things so the big things work. If you look back in your life isn’t it true that emptying the dishwasher, putting things on the grocery list, or packing sandwiches when going on a trip is just as important as the destination?

Happy Valentine’s Day and remember to join us this Sunday for our 14th anniversary. I love you.

Friday February 9, 2024

Mark 7:31-37

And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him.

He took him aside to be by themselves, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man's ears and touched his tongue with spittle.

A very happy Friday to you, I am so glad you are here. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus finds himself in the Decapolis region healing a deaf man. I don’t know why the writer tells us exactly where Jesus passed to be where he is but I am sure there is a point there. My reflection today is on the process our Lord used to heal the man. Couldn’t he just have raised his hand, said a prayer and blessings and finishing it off with the laying of hands. No! We get this round about way. He removes the man from the crowd, performs a ritual and then “Ephphatha” “be opened.”

As long as you are around some people it will be impossible to hear the word of God. Listen some people help you see and hear and others are loud mouths. If you hang around negative people your chances of hearing good news have dropped. The older I get the fewer people I spend time with. Well I should put it politely. Be around people who will help you hear and see the love around you.

God bless!!!

Thursday February 8, 2024

Mark 7:24-30

Do you know that I have been saying the same prayer every time I go for a run these past 15 years? You must have seen me running in the cold or in the heat off Westport road. I am sure God sees me coming and he knows what I am about to say. I make my sign of the cross and say “plizi Mulungu, tu tandizeni na ndalama zo mangila church.” Please God help us with money to build a church” and off I go running. There are moments or Sundays I feel we are receiving the opposite of a blessing but then I have little glimpses here and there that this impossible prayer will be answered. Yes it is a mighty big prayer but unless we pray it, unless we ask we really don’t know. What I know is that out of nothing Yahweh has given and sustained our community and and I feel his presence even when the numbers are down and we have a deficit budget I just keep praying for our beautiful Rabbouni.

The story of the Syrophoenician woman, this pagan lady who got a rare audience with Jesus speaks to me about persistence. Our Lord refused to help her. In my opinion he was even rude. He says “it is not good to give the food of the children to dogs.” No sir, but even the dogs eat scrapes that fall from the table. He was rude, she knew her place and interceded for her daughter. Then his heart of hearts grew softer and healed her baby. Persistence, patience and humility got her that blessing.

You may not need to be humiliated like that in your prayer. But you may have to say that prayer over several years. You may have to ask others to pray for you. I remember praying for and through a difficult high risk pregnancy. Lord that was scary. It was touch and go from week five to full term.

Anyway it is never too easy. Remember that.

On another note join us and come see the answers to our prayer on February 11, 2024 at the 12:30 mass. We will be celebrating our 15th anniversary followed by a meal. We make some good greens. I sure hope to see you.

Wednesday February 7, 2024

Genesis 2:4-9,15-17

II love the stories of creation and in particular the creation of the human species. Scripture says “And out of nothing (the dust of the earth), God created Man and Woman.” I like to remind myself of this beautiful truth whenever my head gets too big and whenever my troubles get too big.

Point number one: without Grace you my friend we are nothing. Everything that you are today it is because Yahweh has willed it for you. So tonight be thankful and reflect on the abundant blessings in your life. There are many who know only a fraction of your life and wish they were as blessed.

Secondly, your challenges are not too big. I know, when you look at the bills and maybe the loneliness they may be overwhelming. But I invite you to lift up your eyes to the God who created you out of nothing. Yahweh did not create you for failure. Yahweh has plans and he will bring you through.

On another note I was talking to Fr. Will Myers one day when he remarked that there are 7 billion people in the world, not talking to 1 of them won’t end the world. So if there is someone who is trying to disrupt your peace, gently ignore them and go on from nothing into something, into someone.

Tuesday February 6, 2024

Mark 7:1-13

Some Pharisees and Sadducees are upset with Jesus because they saw his disciples eating their food without properly washing their hands. Maybe the disciples had worked all day feeding the hungry and walking with those who need aid. Who knows how exhausted they were? Maybe this was their first meal in days. So they tore into the food without doing the customary 7 washes. For Jesus, the proper washing of hands is important because he is a good Jew but he can also cut some slack for his disciples. There are other more important things that he would lose sleep over.

Here is the lesson for me. Know your scripture? Know what is important to God and do it. If someone else wants to add extras, more power to them. The problem with religious fanatics is everything goes from zero to a hundred. Everything!! Religion which is supposed to be life giving all of a sudden becomes a burden. When that happens, we have missed the whole point. So,know what is at the heart of our faith and do that passionately. I Once said to a woman who was apologizing for missing Mass because she went to visit her dying mother. I said, He saw you and was with you beside that hosparus bed. Being with her mother on this particular day was more important than the Sunday obligation.

Monday February 5, 2024

Mark 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea,

Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret

and tied up there.

As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.

They scurried about the surrounding country

and began to bring in the sick on mats

to wherever they heard he was.

Each of the gospel writers have their own different style and particularly a way of letting the reader know that something important is about to happen in the narrative. For example St Matthew always seems to put Jesus on a hill or mountain whenever an important teaching is about to happen. St Mark does something else. Whenever he wants you to pay attention, he puts Jesus in a boat.

So today Jesus disembarks and power is coming out of him. All who touch him are cured. How about we think ourselves as vessels, boats from which the Lord disembarks bringing understanding to the misunderstood? The Jesus whom we receive at communion and whenever we invite him going into places that are full of evil spirits and letting the people touch his clothings. Be the bringer of joy today and remember it’s not about you but he who lives in you. My favorite meditation song is “It is in him we live, it is in him we have our being, we might as well not move at all. Unless we move in.” Sing along and become the mercy of God.

Monday February 12 2024

Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."

Then he left them, got into the boat again,

and went off to the other shore.

The gospel passage today is hilarious if you can bring yourself to laugh at Jesus frustration. The Pharisees come over and ask him for a sign, he (to put it more churchy) “And with a sigh that came straight from the heart .. “ he said ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! He got up and walked away.

Thank you Lord. You gotta know folks that for some people it will never be enough. They will take and take. Jesus identifies such people and does not waste his time at all. He leaves!!!

Don’t bend over backwards trying to explain yourself to some people. Yes explain to those who matter but after the 100 time just walk away. They will get it some day. Walk away, shake you head, lift your hands and say Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Friday February 2, 2024

The presentation of the Lord

Luke2:22-40

“And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord”

I have two thoughts stemming from this beautiful reading. First our parents were chosen for us for a reason. I hope you have found out why the Author of Life, the Alpha and Omega in his wisdom chose to birth you there. I am still figuring it out because I think he could have chosen this beautiful couple in Botswana who had everything. No no it had to be in the Lenge tribe of Zambia at a time when the new wealth was not discovered. But seriously pause for a second. You are not just happenstance, you are carefully put on this earth. Coming with a lesson or a mission to teach your parents or to learn from your parents and enrich all the beings you meet, not just the human beings.

God chose Joseph and Mary and their parents and friends to raise up Jesus who is the Christ, James the Just. They were chosen to raise Joset, Jude and Simon his brothers. So your family is the biggest gift you have. That could be the reason you fight, they are un afraid to call you out.

Secondly when you are filled with the Holy Spirit you see and hear what others miss. Filled with the Holy Spirit those around baby Jesus heard the cry of God. It was like any other cry but for those of God it was different. Prayer sharpens your 6th sense, your intuition. There are people at work I avoid. For no reason we just don’t jive. Over the years I have learned to trust my intuition and excuse myself. Fill your soul with the Holy Spirit, you will be so alert.

Tuesday January 30, 2024

Mark 5:21-45

She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’

If I can only touch the helm of his garment, I will be well. When you are going to communion, what prayer do you say? I think of this brave woman who had to fight the crowds because she was sick of being sick. I think of this woman who had to toss all that her society told her about her condition. She was told she could not be among others because she would make them unclean. She was told to go away but no she said, no. If I can only touch the helm of his garment, I will have my answer.

With intention, persistence and faith she reached out. I want you to reach out as well and believe in the God of providence. Doing life is not easy. Heck I have reached out and still have to do two and half jobs to make ends meet. I am grateful for the energy and family he has given me and still I pray, may your healing and strength flow through me O Lord. Today I pray for all those who struggle alone in silence. I pray for those who quietly harbor a sadness in their soul. May you find your healing as you stand in prayer, as you receive communion.

Fr Chibundi

Monday January 29, 2024

Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him.

Into the land of Gerasane Jesus walks, looking and searching. I don’t know how many people told him to back away for in that place lives a man possessed to the core with legions of demons. This man with multiple personalities, multiple disorders has been living among the dead. But the love of the son of man draws him into this space where no one has ever walked. He comes because this one too is a child of God, he comes because his promise to humanity is never to give up on you. He comes to smash the boxes, the prisons that have been built around the possessed man.

In the work of policing we have dealt with people who are a danger to themselves and others because of some imbalances within. I have seen police officers talk someone who is hearing voices from jumping off the bridge. I have seen their patience and their love breakdown, drive out demons and then you see a child of God beaten down by love.

I invite you today to pray for the gift of patience and understanding as you deal with a difficult person. Some people scream and howl because that is the only way they know to talk. Find a way to reach them. And may someone find a way to reach you too. Who among us does not fight demons within.

Fr Chibundi

Wednesday January 24, 2024

The conversion of St Paul

The story of St. Paul makes for a fascinating read and reflection. Here is a man who hunted down Christians at one point and ends up being hunted down himself. My first response to his conversion is why did he bother so much? He certainly had people who supported him but the Jerusalem Church and early Jewish followers of the way gave Paul a hard time. He tried over and over again to gain their trust but to no avail. Lesson number one: Find your own tribe. Listen you can’t keep hitting your face in the wall. When you have tried over and over again to explain or express your interest in someone and they keep rejecting you, you need to stop. There are other people around the corner who will gladly accept you. Remember Jesus said “Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself?” Well how much do you love yourself? The Jerusalem church would not accept him so he went to the gentiles and found a whole, new, beautiful tribe. Come to us, we will love you for who you are.

Lesson number two: You are not always what you used to be. Recognize the people who want to hold you hostage to what you used to be and ditch them. Life is a continuous process of growth and change. I am embarrassed by some of my earlier homilies. I was clueless about real life. I was in seminary at 13 and my life was very different than that of someone on chicken gizzard road in Clementsville Ky. People change, let them grow.

Lesson number three: Well I think two lessons are enough for now.

Tuesday January 23, 2024

Mark 3:31-35

The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him.

This is probably one of the most difficult passages of scripture to read. If you would for a moment, remove the “holiness” from it and just read it as a story. His mother and brothers came to get him. They got word that he had gone mad. They were going to bring him home, to love him, to understand him. See when the people from the village arrive, we know it is serious. Those of us from the first cultures understand this in a very different way. They come with intent, they come with pain but you are their pain and they would rather have you home.

So I understand the emotional turmoil that Jesus faces. I understand his embarrassment. Lord your mama here!!! He would have buried his head in his palms with embarrassment. However bad things get for me, don’t call mama.

You know, being misunderstood is a painful thing indeed. People think they know how it feels but unless you have been on that island, all alone and everyone pointing fingers at you, you really don’t know. Imagine being at boarding school and having the other boys laugh at you coz you have jacked up teeth or you are overweight or you don’t fit in. You get it right?

This happened to Jesus!!! Even his mother did not fully understand. It took a lot of explaining (and men we are terrible at this), a lot of listening and a lot of prayer. Here is the deal… know your truth but also know it takes time for others to see your truth.

The other complication with this reading is the brothers of Jesus. You know St. James the apostle who succeeded Jesus and became bishop of Jerusalem was described in early writings as “James the brother of Jesus who was called Messiah.” I don’t want to cause trouble with the immaculate conception but this was not an issue for the early church. But for now we can say the Bible meant to say “His mother and his cousins…”

Monday January 22, 2024

Mark 3:22-30

The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him.

Today’s passage reminds us yet not to waste our time trying to get approval from people who have already made up their minds about us. Trust me some people are stuck in high school and will always want to bring your spirit down. Jesus does an amazing thing by casting out demons and they accuse him of using the power of Beelzebul, the prince of darkness. Of course it hurts his feelings and tries to explain himself. But if it is not this insult it will be another.

You know they are people who will never be happy for you no matter what? Do not give those people an opportunity to hurt you. That is, minimal contact brother, limited information. I am learning that as a police officer. Jokers will stab you in the back every opportunity they get. Anyway our Lord just moves on, he keeps moving on. Do that today, don’t dwell on it, do good and keeps moving sista.

Friday January 19, 2024

Mark 3:13-19

In the gospel passage today our Lord has his team, he chooses his 12 disciples and with these the kingdom of God will break open. I often wonder about the 12. I think of their journey at the beginning. Their hopes and desires, dreams and aspirations. Think back to your first day at secondary school as you stood at assembly. Think of the little groups that formed, who reached out to you first and maybe people you wish you were a little more careful around. Had you known then what you know now how would life have been?

Did Jesus know everything about the twelve? Did he know every turn of this journey? Absolutely not. But this is who God gave him. Be there in the room with the chosen ones. Quieten that voice that tells you that you do not fit in? That voice that tells you that you are not the right height or have the right education. In fact stop looking at all the reasons you should not be in that room of the chosen. And don’t compare yourself.

The twelve apostles were as ordinary as we are. Maybe we are a wee bit sophisticated and understand the world a little better. But the first order of business as a disciple is simply to be present and willing, to see ourselves as having something in our experience that God can use to change our worlds. My first order….. make sure mama has enough food in Africa.

Thursday January 18, 2024

Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed.

The power of Jesus is on full display here. Everyone wants a selfie with him and he gets in a boat to get away from the paparazzi. I once had a woman in Lebanon Ky who asked to meet with me for something she was struggling with. I never expected this one. She said, father I love our Lord but I have a problem with that Mary Magdalene, if that woman ( she used another term) thinks she is going to have Jesus all to herself she ain’t met nobody from Lebanon yet. I was so confused. Slowly I realized that women love differently and this is actually a thing. I don’t really remember what I said to her but I remember asking Fr Jerry about it and he simply said “now I have heard it all Chibundi.”

Anyway I get distracted easily. They all wanted Jesus for different reasons. There is so much hurt out there, so many unanswered questions. I pray today that you know where to go for your complex questions. They came to him because they found in our messiah a God willing to listen. Practice listening today. Listen to yourself, your neighbor and your God.

And if you end up at Rabbouni with your questions I promise that together we will figure out an answer. There is nothing you are going through that someone in this church has not dealt with. We love you!!!

Wednesday January 17, 2024

Mark 3:1-6

Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.

Today we hear my favorite lines of all times from the letter to the Hebrews “You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever”. Once God ordains, God sustains and I get great comfort in that. They have tried to scratch that line from the Bible… trust me.

In today’s gospel passage we find a man with a weathered hand. So much could be done but they cannot lift a finger because it is on the sabbath. Listen if your religion makes you unkind, inhuman error on the side of kindness. I remember years ago when priests of the archdiocese were kinda asked not to associate with me and one Fr Pablo showed up at my door and simply asked “how are you doing Chibundi?” We should all read the this certain book called, How to become a bad Christian and a good being. It is a fascinating read.

Sometimes Jesus was a bad Jew but golly he was a good person. Remember that day he touched a leper, or a corpse?

Tuesday January 16 2024

Mark 2:23-28

A very happy Tuesday to you and I certainly hope you remembered St Martin Luther King Jr yesterday. Yes he will never be a saint, it costs too much but in my eyes this martyr is with God sitting next to St Mandela. Their contributions to and for people of color will not go unnoticed.

In today’s gospel passage the Pharisees again have a problem with the disciples of Jesus. Yesterday the issue was that these men of Jesus had too much of a good time. They ate and drunk while the disciples of John fasted. Today it is something else, they are picking corn as they walk along and that is an issue.

Sometimes when people are picking stupid fights with you, it never really about what they are complaining about. It’s about who you walk with…Jesus. You are just the east target. Remember we fight not flesh and blood but principalities of darkness. Let your good works do the fighting, let them talk. They really want to get to the one you walk with.

Monday, January 15, 2024

Mark 2:18-21

One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’

These guys were not just fasting. They made sure that everyone saw it and felt it. Before long this beautiful practice of fasting was being used as a tool to hit people with. And the reason for fasting was lost. The intention of it has always been connected to feasting. Whenever you fast, ask who will feast. When we fast, we take the money and the food we saved and give to the church or less fortunate. But if no one is benefiting from your fast and you become meaner than a King Cobra, please eat.

If you go to church and others feel your wrath, stop churching. It is not helping you or those around you. Our passage invites us to reflect on what and why we do the things we do. Love you.

Friday January 12, 2024

Mark 2:1-12

I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’

My focus on this popular reading is what this paralyzed man did with the mat. We read, “He picked up the mat and walked away.” Did he burn it? Frame it? Hold on to it? We don’t know. How about you, what did you do with the mat?

The darn mat could be anything that kept you from thriving before you met the Lord. It prevented you from going out with friends. It reminded you that you are not like others. Then Jesus came along, loved you and said, pick up your mat and go. Why pick it up? Why not just heal this man? Well maybe that mat is the greatest teacher. Lying on that mat, the man saw people’s true colors.

Listen very carefully, some of your experiences are ones that you would not wish on your enemy. But they were your teachers. So I hope you remember from time to time how it used to be and I hope you never allow yourself to fall back on that mat. Been there, done that and ain’t going back. Thank you Merica.