Friday May 22, 2026

John 21:15-19

Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.

Today I commemorate 22 years of being a priest. On May 22. 2004, I was ordained a priest by Archbishop Kelly of the Archdiocese of Louisville. I have to say that things have not gone according to plan but in a weird and twisted way God has made a way. For when God ordains, God sustains. Somehow he has carved out a ministry for me and I have to tell you if it wasn’t for Him, Rabbouni would have closed in no time. Yet God has so blessed us that this Sunday we are celebrating a Confirmation of 7 teenagers and our ministry is stronger than ever. Truly you should come see the miracle of Rabbouni. You don’t have to join us, just come experience how it feels to sit in God’s blessings.

Do you love me? Imagine Jesus asking you this question. Do you love me? Will you trust me? It is a scary thing to completely love the Lord especially in the times of St Peter. St. Peter avoids the question. We do not get this translation or avoidance in the English language. But our Lord asks, do you have Agape for me? Peter responds, yes I have Filia, for you. Translated, do you have self sacrificing love for me? Yes I have only friendship love for you. Like a politician St Peter finds a way to answer the question he wants not the question he is asked.

What scares you the most about trusting? For me, it’s not knowing if things will pan out. Not knowing if anyone will show up at Rabbouni, yet with our team we set the table. Year after year we do not know if we will have enough money to cover our expenses and yet year after year we have a surplus. Someone please explain this to my stubborn self.

Thursday May 21, 2026

John 17:20-26

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Holy Father,

I pray not only for these,

but for those also

who through their words will believe in me.

May they all be one.

Father, may they be one in us,

as you are in me and I am in you,

so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.

I remember writing a paper during my studies in South Africa about unity not uniformity. I don’t even remember if I was assigned the topic or we all had to write it. Our differences are really what makes the salad bowl of living beings beautiful to behold and have. Think how boring a world would be if we were exactly the same in every way. This is why I call out to you to sing your song, live your life out loud. Because when we take ourselves out of the mix, the world misses out on the beauty that God wants to add to this world at this time.

Our Lord prays that his disciples be one. Why pray for something that would be so obvious. Well maybe when you get close enough things were not as smooth sailing as we might think. The tribal differences were too entrenched, the politics were intense (church politics is brutal). So he prays that we find a way to see the good in each other. I remember how happy mama was when we as a family got along. There is seven of us and meeting us you would question if we all come from the same womb. We are as far as the east is from the west and sometimes it feels like the bond that keeps us together will snap anytime. Find a way to make your bonds strong and stronger.

Remember Mr. Marley and the song he left for us …”One Love…” In the end, all we have is each other. My charge to you is “Find a way to be one again!!!”

Wednesday May 13, 2026

Acts 17:15-22

‘Men of Athens, I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it.

Right after my first vows I was sent to go evangelize among the Bush-Men or Basarwa as we called them in a place called Hukuntsi right in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Oh I was ready to go convert them! My novice master saw the excitement and eagerness in me and as he loaded my vehicle up, he called me to the side. He placed his hands on my shoulders and in his beautiful Irish accent he said “Brother Robert, remember this, before you get there know that God is already there..”

I very quickly learned that when you get somewhere, you have to kiss the ground and the people. That is, be willing to learn. I brought nothing to the Bush-Men. Instead they ministered to me in ways that have changed my life.

St Paul recognized that people in Athens had more spirituality in them than he had ever imagined. Have you ever thought that your child would be your teacher? Today open yourself to the lessons that Mother Earth, the universe, your spouse, children and friends bring to you. Lessons that challenge and grow you. God is all over your life. Listen and learn!!!

Tuesday May 11, 2026

Acts: 16:22-34

Late that night Paul and Silas were praying and singing God’s praises, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations.

Brother Paul and Silas had been arrested for preaching Christ to the people and they had been thrown into prison. This was the last place they ever thought they would end up. But look what they bring into prison. They bring the joy of praise and worship. Yes the Romans can imprison the body, life has a way of bringing us into places and situations we would rather not be. Go there with the joy of praise and worship. When we do this, something begins to shift. God opened doors for our two brothers and led them out.

Listen, whatever it is you are going through can only truly be beaten by worship. As Jesus said to his disciples who were struggling to drive out a demon “..this kind can only be driven out by prayer and fasted…”

Fr Chibundi

Friday May 8, 2026

John 15:12-17

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘This is my commandment:

love one another,

as I have loved you.

A man can have no greater love

than to lay down his life for his friends.

We often look for the big sacrifices in life. The ones that really shake the earth. Today though I invite you to look at the small sacrifices that you make out of love. You do not even think of them as sacrifice because it is just what you do daily. I am thinking about things like walking the dog. Maybe preparing dinner or doing the laundry. Everyday you give of yourself to the ones you love.

The most asked question in my house is … “what are we having for dinner?” Sometimes I wanna scream and say “figure it out!!!” Having lived in a monastery and rectory most of my life, dinner was always there. Someone took care of it. Before seminary… mama always took care of it. Darn it now I have to think of every meal and cook it. Out of love and a little sacrifice we set the table. And sometimes the food is eaten and other times it is not.

The little sacrifice that you do in washing the laundry and folding the clothes. The washing part is easy, then the clothes just sit there in the clean basket for a minute.

My point is, your life is full of little sacrifices and big sacrifices. Today though thank the Lord that you are still able to do these things.

Thursday May 7, 2026

John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘As the Father has loved me,

so I have loved you.

Remain in my love.

I love celebrating weddings. Every wedding reminds me of the beauty of love. The beauty of finding someone to do life with. Yes we can all do this by ourselves and yes marriage is not for everyone but there is something so special to me about standing there and saying “… I will love you and honor you for the rest of my life…”

What is even more beautiful to see and experience is celebrating anniversaries. Being married to someone for 25 or 50 years is indeed a testament. How does that couple remain in love for 10, 20, 30 years. It is work, a lot of work.

I want you to bring that “work ethic” to your faith. Simply checking the going to church box may be a very very good start. But being in relationship with God is also about learning how to love God at every stage of our lives. Young love is different than 50 year love. Have you ever noticed how quiet 50 year old love is? It is quiet but strong indeed.

Our Lord Jesus says this is how you remain in love with God. You practice the commandments!!!

Monday May 4, 2026

John 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them

will be one who loves me;

and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father….

I wanna retranslate the reading above because I find it confusing. We know that we have the 10 commandments which have come to us from the time of our patriarch Moses. Is the Lord giving new commandments? Certainly not, the Decalogue will guide us forever.

What if we say, Jesus is talking about his teachings: Being a disciple is taking his teachings to heart and letting them lead us. Yes these teachings seem so easy to accept today but they were once radical. Nobody talked about loving enemies and praying for those who persecute us. This message/teaching of a God who gives “sonship” to all peoples was unheard of. Maybe we need to tap into that radical aspect of the gospels.

When I was in prison, you visited me. Who needs visiting and understanding today in your life? When I was hungry, you fed me? Who is hungering for love, acceptance, patience. Who is calling me and you to reevaluate our stance. Recently someone wrote to me about their journey of life and wondered who would bury them. It opened up a world of questions in my mind about ministry and how present I could be. Maybe I should pick up a book I was made to read in my early years of seminary “The Road Less Traveled.” It would be interesting to see what it opens up some 30 years later after the first read.

Wednesday, May 29 2026

John 12:44-50

Jesus declared publicly:

‘Whoever believes in me

believes not in me

but in the one who sent me,

and whoever sees me,

sees the one who sent me.

This gospel of John is written around 120AD. None of the first recipients had walked with our Lord. This alone gives it a slightly different approach than the gospel of Mark. Mark’s people knew Jesus and his family. But John’s audience had received the faith like us, it had been passed on to them. But unlike us, they were also going through the great persecution. Believing in Jesus was risky and costly if I should say. The Romans did everything they could to stop the Jesus movement but Spirit was with this movement. Spirit led them, Spirit sustained them, Spirit grew them.

The question today for this faith community in 120AD is can we see God in this struggling church? Honestly did you see God present when the struggle was real in your life. Sometimes I did, other times I just survived. But looking back on those times that I just survived the only thing I can say with certainty is that it must have been God!!! Because brothers and sisters I really don’t know how I came out of such intense criticism with a smile.

What is your struggle today? Are you filled with uncertainty? Are you in survival mode? Notice the little things my friend. Notice in the little things how Spirit is saying “Here I am, standing right beside you.”

Tuesday April 28, 2026

John 10:22-30

It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon.

What stands out for you in this short passage above? Specific time, specific season, specific person. These three stand out for me and they invite me to think of who I am, what season of my life it is and what is the mission.

You have probably heard me say this a thousand times that God breathed you into being at this specific time in history for a reason. Sometimes we consciously participate with God to bring his will about but sometimes God is doing something in our lives by placing us in certain places. Without knowing it we are fulfilling his will.

This particular day the Pharisees asked Jesus to level with them and tell them who he was. It was on this day that he said ‘The Father and I are one’ They did not like that answer. But I also wonder what else Jesus did that day that is not written in this book?

As you go about your day today please know that you are here now for a reason. Some people will get your why and some people will fight your why. Just know your why!!!!

Friday April 24, 2026

John 6:52-56

I tell you most solemnly,

if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,

you will not have life in you.

Did you go to Sunday Eucharist? There was one thing that gave the early church life and courage. It was the meeting of the disciples to hear the teachings of the Apostles, to share their daily struggles and successes and to break bread. They continued a tradition that Jesus himself had started, a tradition that gave our Lord life. Yes maybe it was not as elaborate as it has come to be but we know from the earliest writings that they repeated the words of institution. On the night before he died, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it and said TAKE THIS All OF YOU AND EAT IT. THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

I cannot wait every Sunday to celebrate Eucharist because it literally fuels my life. In the early days of Rabbouni when I did not know if anyone would show up or after some good meaning Christians cursed me out via email for starting this faith community or when a priest suggested I had purchased a ticket to the depths of hell etc etc. I just wanted to get to Mass with one or two people. There I was refueled, their Christ became truly present and whispered through the community, “Keep moving father.”

So whatever the noise, whatever the politics, however annoying the priest might be, go to Eucharist!!! Your life depends on it.

Thursday April 23, 2026

John 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowd:

‘No one can come to me

unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me,

and I will raise him up at the last day.

I have always thought that we are the seekers. We go out and search for God like hunters search for their prey. In fact I have been told by people who speak the original language that the word ‘prayer’ itself in Jewish Aramaic simply meant ‘to set a trap.’ So when the disciples went to the Lord to ask him that he may teach them to pray they actually said “Lord teach us how to set a trap as John taught his disciples how to set a trap for God.’ There is something to be said about this attitude, this orientation. We seek to catch this wild unpredictable Spirit. Our souls are designed like a trap to catch God.

Our Lord however says in today’s passage that it is God who searches for us and draws us to his Son. Yes we love God but God’s love for us is beyond telling and this Wild, unpredictable Spirit will not stop looking for us until we all meet in Christ.

So yes set the trap for God, but also know that he first loved us and has been seeking us. Everything you are going through is leading you to Him.

Fr. Chibundi

Tuesday April 21, 2026

John 6:30-35

The people said to Jesus, ‘What sign will you give to show us that we should believe in you? What work will you do?

It is absolutely normal to want to check and verify things and people in life. It is the way we are as humans. We want to be sure. The problem with these fellas who come to our Lord asking this is… they had seen enough of his works and they were still asking for more signs. For this kind of folk, even rising from the dead would not do it.

Imagine how ridiculous it would be if I or you were to ask for a sign. I have lived a long time and at least in my life I can honestly say that God has shown up on numerous occasions. Hake you reading this reflection is a God wink for me. Every Sunday when we celebrate Eucharist is a God wink, me having a job a God wink. If we are open enough today we will see so many times God giving us a wink. I am with you always to the end of time. His got you covered!!!

Much Love

Wednesday April 15, 2026

John 3:16-21

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost

but may have eternal life.

Did you watch the splashdown of Artemis II? That spaceship took our Astronauts further than we have ever gone and they sent back beautiful pictures of our home earth. To think that earth is just a tiny part of creation, a dot in our galaxy always amazes me. The Astronauts were ready to come home, home to this beautiful creation.

Many years ago I attended a retreat in Kafue, Zambia that was given by a Jesuit priest. I was very “holy” those days. By that I mean I thought the more I “hated” my embodiment the closer I would get to God. I read of saints would give themselves a whipping—flagellation so they would get closer to God. Anyway this Jesuit priest shocked me when he said “God loves you as you are - don’t change.” I thought he had lost his mind. Of course God wants me to change so he can love me even more. Thank goodness for growth and thank God for that Jesuit priest. It took a number of years and psychological exercises for me to see the beauty of this creation that I am.

Jesus says to Nicodemus, God so loved the world. God sees the beauty of creation, the beauty of your finger prints and your DNA and He loves it. Today I invite you to bathe in the mystery of who you are. For you, God created this beautiful world. St Paul says, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” So go about your day knowing that you are a great work of art by God Himself.

Fr. Chibundi

Tuesday April 14, 2026

John 3:7-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

‘Do not be surprised when I say:

You must be born from above.

There is birth and there is rebirth, there is creation and there is recreation. We all have that moment of awakening when things begin to take on a new meaning. I heard the story of the Buddha a while back. People went to him and asked: Are you a god? He answered “No, I am not. Are you a man? No, I am not. Are you a sorcerer? No, I am not. Well tell us then what are you? The Buddah responded “I am …. AWAKE!!!

What do you do with such an answer? Well Our Lord Jesus in talking to Nicodemus talks about being born again. What is all this!!! A lot has been written about being born again and let me throw into the pot this explanation that has given me so much life. The moment you realize that you are not an earthly being having some spiritual moments here and there but actually you are a spiritual being having an earth experience. Piere De Chardin said this many years ago and being born again suddenly made sense to me. There is more to me and you than our earth experience. To put in in other words our lives include the earth experience. You are Spirit, breathed into existence at this moment in history for a reason. This one is deep, if you get it, you are born again.

Love you

Fr Chibundi

Wednesday April 1, 2026

Matthew 26:14-25

When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’

Expect this in life: You will be betrayed, someone will steal from you, someone will tell a lie or twist what you said. Yes someone will go behind your back and betray your trust. The question is what or who will you become when you pass through those troubled waters. Our Lord Jesus still showed up for dinner and although deeply hurt by this betrayal he chose not to put Judas on blast. Jesus dug deep within and found love and understanding. He would not let the betrayer change who he was called to be. In fact, he knew that all the brothers sitting at table will betray him in some way.

Last Sunday in our reading of the passion we saw that only Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed with him through it all. Church are we the betrayer? Have we twisted his words and mission? Have we betrayed his trust? Yes we have and yes we will. However this betrayal does not define us. Accepting his mercy and opportunity to do better is what truly defines us. I thank God for the gift of time, I thank God for this moment that I can reflect on how best I can serve him. The scary part of all this is to know that I am capable of betraying, denying, running away when things go bad. What God is saying is, you are also capable of coming back and saying “give me another chance Lord.”

March 31, 2026

John 13:21-33, 36-38

While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, ‘Ask who it is he means’

The humanity of Jesus is something that we tend to overlook when we think of him. Our minds don’t think about how difficult this whole thing was. We think because he is Son of God, he easily accepts the turn of events.

I sure hope you never ever have this experience of being betrayed. When someone betrays your trust it cuts deep. I am sure you know someone who was blind sided by another. It could be a broken relationship, it could be a work situation. Yes we move on but boy does it take a toll on us. I still remember when someone I thought loved me told me that she had to unfriend me on facebook because she was too important a figure in Louisville to be seen as a friend to a renegade priest. That hurt, it still hurts and I still say “ bump her” for being a fake friend.

Anyway let’s get back to the passage above. Our Lord hurt as he may be, he keeps his composure. He still sits there, maybe laughs, maybe cries, maybe loses sleep. I think I have met someone like this in my life. Someone who kept it together even as she fell apart. Debbie Spalding put it beautifully when she said “just because they carry it well does not mean it doesn’t hurt.” To alll of you who have wiped your tears and put your game face on, I salute you!!

Thursday March 26, 2026

Genesis 17:3-9

Abram bowed to the ground and God said this to him, ‘Here now is my covenant with you: you shall become the father of a multitude of nations.

The story of our father in faith Abram and Sarah his lovely wife is one that we ought to revisit often. He had everything in life but there was also a sadness. This couple suffered/ struggled with infertility. Night and day they prayed for a child but it just was not happening for them. Then when all hope was almost lost, God showed up.

Today I want you to look back at your life and find those moments when God showed up for you and how God showed up. Sometimes we are quick to forget the miracles that have happened in our lives. When I was in the charismatic renewal movement we often shared testimonies of how God was at work in our lives. Sharing these stories gave hope to those who were in the midst of storms/crisis.

Abram bowed to God and believed. Today bow to God in prayer as well, he will fulfill your heart’s desires. Amen

Monday March 23, 2026

John 8:1-11

The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’

She was nothing to them, she was like a pawn on a chess board, she was bait. They never stopped to think that she belonged to a family. They never stopped to consider her value as a human being. Who are these people who drag another person in such a way? These were the holiest people of the day. If religion makes you reckless like this, it has become false worship.

Jesus looked at her and loved her. He understood that in that moment she was nothing but a scapegoat to them. With calm he stopped this madness.

Think of the time when you stopped the madness. How did you do it? Recently I just decided not to engage with someone who was keen on sowing division. It seemed to me that whatever I said, he would twist it. So I took my power back. I chose not to engage with the madness. I know it’s not the best explanation of the scripture above but I want you to find a way to stop the craziness that finds its way into your ‘house.’

Secondly, religion has to be about individuals as well. What does this person need right now? How can I help this one person get closer to God? This mob that brought the lady to our Lord was not thinking how much they were hurting her!!!!

Wednesday March 18, 2026

John 5:17-30

Jesus said to the Jews, ‘My Father goes on working, and so do I.’ But that only made them even more intent on killing him, because, not content with breaking the sabbath, he spoke of God as his own Father, and so made himself God’s equal.

Most parents will identify with this. Do you ever stop being mama or dad? The work never stops. Sometimes it feels like you are talking about the same issues over and over again. I only have one child, he is a blessing indeed but tell you what? Can we skip the teenage years … Actually someone said to me “small children small problems, big children big problems.”

There has to be something more than duty inside you to keep you working. This passion and love for whatever you are engaged in is the key. The Pharisees and scribes had a sense of duty. That can only go so far. It eventually runs out. Jesus on the other hand was in love with God’s creation. He could not stop working.

Frankly since he was fully human, he probably had days when he was discouraged. He had days when he thought he was not making progress, maybe stuck. Have you ever felt that? Yet you wiped your tears, summoned your courage and embraced the role of parent.

Today I want you to know that God will never stop working on your desires. For nothing pleases God than see you achieve your dream and be happy.

Tuesday March 17, 2026

John 5:1-3,5-16

There was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem there is a building, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralysed – waiting for the water to move. One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years, and when Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had been in this condition for a long time, he said, ‘Do you want to be well again?’

Our Lord probably went to Bethzatha every time he visited Jerusalem when he was with his parents and later when he went with his friends. And every year he saw this man. The poor man was struggling to get into the waters. Over the years he got weaker and weaker as age caught up with him and his condition got worse. But every year he came to the waters. I absolutely love his will power, his faith, his persistence. That alone preaches for me. Keep at it, try and try again, you must want really want this healing. Is there something you have been praying for these past few years? I have prayed for someone close to me to get out of alcohol addiction. Tell you what!!! This alcohol addiction is a whole nother beast. This one requires prayer and fasting. Nothing seems to work and yet every day I pray this person heals for this disease affects everyone. This disease has torn his family apart. I hope I don’t have to pray for 38 years. Because it’s not just prayer, it is heartache as well.

Secondly, do you know why the man in the scripture never got healed? At this place of healing it was every man for himself. The place of healing itself was sick. We need compassion people. We need to see and encourage each other. Jesus saw the man!!! How many times has Jesus actually seen someone? Countless times. He SEES you!!!