Monday December 23, 2024

Luke 1:57-66

The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.

Do you know of someone who has been wanting something for so long? This person has seen disappointment after disappointment and then finally an answer. Part of our Christian calling or should I say human calling is to rejoice in the joy of others. It is not time to tell our story or to one up them but simply to acknowledge that God has done something special for them. May we practice joy for others.

Almost all of us have had that one friend or family member who we think becomes annoyed over our blessings. But for every one upper God truly sends ten or more people who genuinely are happy for us and pray for us. I repeat my message from last Sunday: Be the bringer of joy!!

Friday December 20, 2024

Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured!

We finally meet Mary! It is interesting and a topic for another discussion how late in the liturgical calendar we meet Mary. Given her very important role in the story of salvation she actually likes to be in the background. But isn’t this typical of mothers though. They often choose not to be the story, it’s all about their children.

Here is a little detail I have missed over the years. Gabriel went in and said to her… I thought Gabriel just appeared to her. But he actually knocked like a normal ‘human being’ and went in. I imagine him like a Zambian standing outside the hut and saying “odi” the usual Zambian knock or as an American appearing in the ring camera “hello, may I come in please?” He knocked on the door. He did not just appear.

How many people in your life have told you that you are so blessed? How many have said you are lucky? What have you heard from God’s angels that have walked in your life? Mary did not brush it off, she believed that she was highly favored. I am going to believe today that I am blessed maybe that will change everything. See Mary had 99 problems and 1 blessing. Hint hint!!

Thursday December 19, 2024

Luke 1:5-25

In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. Both were worthy in the sight of God, and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of the Lord. But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both getting on in years.

One of the most painful (emotionally draining) and lonely journeys that has ever been walked by any couple is INFERTILITY. Well at least in the African context. Family in Africa expects lots of children from a couple and we are not shy asking when a married couple will start giving us babies. I have since found out that sometimes, well anytime or rather it is not ever appropriate to ask for babies from a couple. This is stressful!! This obviously is for my fello Africans.

Anyway back to the scriptures. What have you been praying for recently. Can you see God working on it or is there just silence? Zechariah and Elizabeth had everything in their lives except a child. They waited a long time for God’s answer. Today I want to pray for all those who are waiting on God. Please do not be discouraged. This God will find a way to fulfill your heart. The answer sometimes comes in very different ways. God bless you and I see you!

Monday December 16, 2024

Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?’

It did not take long for me to realize it. In fact within the first week of being in the 4th Division, I knew in my bones that one of the police officers was destined for greatness. He was not even a year old as a police officer. I went to the 7th Division and there was a young man who had just left the academy. He was still riding with another officer and I knew he is destined for the Chief’s office in the future. Sometimes you just know. Sometimes you pick up on things. Then you make a choice whether to help that person or be jealous of them.

The Pharisees could tell, they felt the fire in Jesus and instead of choosing to help him, they became the opposition. Did you know that there people who are in your life who see your potential? Some will help you others will make your life hell.

Give your power to the right people. As for the haters, do what Jesus did. He did not answer their question. Nope, he did not give them power over him.

Wednesday December 11, 2024

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

How much stress is on you these days? The stress of keeping up with the Jons, the stress of work, the stress of Christmas, the stress of being in a relationship or not being in one. Heck it is stressful being alive.

The sacrament of confession and spiritual friendships used to help us deal with living. Now the sacrament is about gone and men, well we are not talking like that any more. So before you lose it, find time to pray or exercise. But you need to do something.

Just come back to your rosary.

Tuesday December 10, 2024

Matthew 18:12-14

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray?

No he will not Lord, he will count his losses and move on. But what do we know really of the relationship between this man and the lost sheep. Would he even sleep, would he even eat? No and No. His heart would be troubled to no end.

Once when I was associate Pastor at St Augustine in Lebanon, a mother came to me with the most unusual prayer request. She said, “Fr. Chibundi I know you are close to God (so she thought), would you pray for my son that he gets arrested?” I thought this woman is crazy to have such a request. She went on “He is on drugs father and I don’t know every night where he is. He could be dead in a ditch. But if he were arrested, I would know every night where he is.”

Then I realized that she was not crazy, she was a mother. Our God is restless folks until he knows where we are, until we are right with him.

God loves you and searches for you! Maranatha…come Lord Jesus.

Friday December 6, 2024

Isaiah 29:17-24

The Lord says this:

In a short time, a very short time,

shall not Lebanon become fertile land

and fertile land turn into forest?

The deaf, that day,

will hear the words of a book

and, after shadow and darkness,

the eyes of the blind will see.

Part of our faith is marked with the spirit of the parausia, that is, the second coming. This anticipation that he is coming again has had two responses throughout history. Some have decided to disengage with the world coz what’s the point? The other response is keep doing his work as if nothing has changed.

We at Rabbouni also believe in making God happen. Not in a literal sense for who are we for a task like that. But there is something special about you. You can make God happen wherever you are. That’s some incredible power. The one we are looking for is within reach.

Thursday December 5, 2024

Matthew 7:21-24,27

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.

The advent season is upon us and we as church remind ourselves one more time that God did intervene in our history by becoming one like us. This advent season we prepare ourselves for the birth of our Lord. Whenever this season comes around I often ask myself if I have noticed the pregnant moments in my life. I know… a man talking about being pregnant is ridiculous. But this is exactly the sense I want to bring to advent. God is becoming, God is moving within my life.

One of the symptoms of God’s moving could be our Christmas lists. I watch Mary Ann as she inquires what her nieces, nephews, even strangers on an angel tree want for this Christmas. This thinking of wanting to make Christmas special for someone else is a sign of the movement of the Holy Spirit. The spirit always leads us to action. So let us not only offer lip service “Merry Christmas” but let us make it truly MERRY by our actions.

Mahalo

Tuesday November 26, 2024

Luke 25:5-11

When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’

During the month of November, the church puts before us readings that lead us to reflect on the end times. In the olden days we begin the month by celebrating Mass at the cemetery. We remember our loved ones and the life they gave us. We then remind ourselves that this world is not our home. We are on a journey and just you hold on because this script is like non other.

Well today our reading tell us bluntly that the world as we know it will end. Let that sink in for a second. This beautiful world will end!!!

But honestly, how many times has the world as you knew it ended? I can tell you that my world has ended one too many times. Not a thing of the past has remained. My world ended as a teenager when my father died and we were plunged into poverty and grief. God that was a difficult time. It is still difficult to even think about it. My world ended again when I left the passionist congregation and left my motherland Africa. Actually after staying a number of years in America I went back home for a visit. Kid you not, when the plane landed and I stepped on the soils of motherland, electricity went through my body. The land speaks there and I felt whole again. That’s another reflection….

The world as I knew it ended again when I left the archdiocese and started picking boxes at UPS while supporting a young church - Rabbouni.

The point is my dear friend, it all passes away except except your relationship with God. That relationship is everlasting. So cultivate it. The only sure thing in your life is GOD. You better bank on GOD.

Fr Chibundi

Thursday November 21, 2024

Luke 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! …. and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!’

He finally sees the city and takes a moment. This has been a difficult journey and a blessed one too. He has been challenged by life and he has discovered so much about himself, about what lies within him.

I don’t know how old you are but can we just stop for a second. Can we look back and then look forward. The future ain’t what it used to be but we are prepared for it. We can do this, we can match in our future with confidence.unlike the city of Jerusalem, I pray we recognize the advent of God. Today may you recognize the opportunity God has given you.

Tuesday November 19, 2024

Luke 19:1-10

Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance: he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man.

You have certainly heard of the story about the wee man Zacchaeus. Most of us know that he was the biggest crook who climbed a tree to see Jesus. I want to offer another perspective. Zacchaeus was the greatest of disciples in the early church. Shocking right? But look at his response to the message of Jesus. He gave half his possessions away and if he ever cheated anyone, he paid back four times over. Tell me any other disciple who worked this hard to make things right!! None!!!

So what preaches for me is “make it right!” We all mess up but our response to our mistakes also matters. How will you make things right? Sometimes we swallow our pride, sometimes we let the others win and we apologize even when we know in our bones who is wrong and other times we stand our ground in loving compassion. What is your response to the message of Jesus.

Monday November 18, 2024

Luke 18:35-43

As Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’ The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied ‘let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight

As you sit by the roadside of life, what is the one thing that would make it all better for you? You have everything except what? The blind man of Jericho desired sight, the rich American might desire a meaningful relationship and you might desire courage to speak your thoughts without blowing everything up. Today find your one thing that will get you on the road to a full life. For some it may mean stepping away from toxic people and others it may mean an extra squeeze from a loved one because we realize our days are numbered.

Check in with yourself as Jesus passes by and make your noise heard.

Fr Chibundi

Friday November 8, 2024

Luke 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”

Mike Tyson is believed to have said that “everyone has a plan until they are punched in the face.” Are you one of the millions of Americans who feels like you have been hit with a Tyson blow to the gut? Are you struggling to get up because your world now is upside down? Being a Parish Priest is tough in these polarized days. I have parishioners who are over the moon and screaming with joy saying“we told you so”and I have parishioners who are trying to get a breath saying “how can this be?” President elect Trump is about to win the popular vote too.

Listen, it is just a matter of time before any one of us is punched in the face. The question is how we respond. My yoga teacher always says that “you can do difficult things.” So …… what is the difficult thing you are being called to do in these times.

And if you are one of the millions rejoicing I ask you the same “what is the difficult thing you are called to do?” We all could learn something.

Thursday November 7, 2021

Luke 15:1-10

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained.

Oh this is absolutely beautiful. The religious professionals could not understand how reckless our Lord was with the holy teachings. Remember… holy things to holy people was the popular saying in these times. But Jesus takes the holy to the unholy. What I find fascinating actually is that the unholy found time to listen to him. And that is what it’s all about folks. How do we present our faith. They say presentation matters and Jesus found a way of bringing God to the public in an inviting non-threatening manner. He connected on a human level.

So before we ever preach, we must take the time to know the other. We must speak the language of the people. You know who is a master at this in our time and age? Pope Francis. That thing he did on holy Thursday of going into the prison and washing the feet of prisoners. That is gold. He washed the feat of a woman!!! A Muslim woman for that matter. Do you know the theological implications of that!!!!! Reckless absolutely reckless and I loved it. Bring the gospel friend to the world in your own creative ways.

Wednesday October 30, 2024

Luke 13:22-30

Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

My head is spinning. Yesterday our Lord says “The Kingdom of God is like a mustard tree…” meaning it is plentiful and everywhere. Today he says many will try to enter and will not succeed. Well … which one is it?

It is both!! Access to the Kingdom is plentiful but also we must give it our best shot. It is about learning to let go of the baggage and preconceptions everyday. It is about learning and re-learning. The biggest obstacle for his audience is accepting that the cross can be a path to life.

Now I have talked about the cross a lot. For some of us the cross means absolute pain and suffering. That is true and can be true. The cross is more shame and failure. We can take pain…. But shame destroys us, guilt haunts us. Can we come to a place in our lives when we can live happily past the shame that is attached to our biography? Can we say to those things “you too are part of my sacred biography.”

Many can’t get past that. Well that is my take on this reading. What is yours?

Love you

Fr. Chibundi

Tuesday October 29, 2024

Luke 13:18-21

Jesus said, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like a mustard seed which a man took

and threw into his garden:

Sometimes when I read scripture, I look for the shock value. What is it that made them rise their eyebrows? Part of our challenge as we read these ancient scripts is we are removed from them by culture and time. And we might not get the obvious.

It is a scandal to compare the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, a mustard bush. People at this time would have been impressed if he compared the kingdom of God to a Lebanon Cedar but certainly not a mustard bush. This is downsizing the great kingdom and to some insulting it. The mustard bush is not as majestic, in fact it is invasive and a nuisance. Hope you get it!!

Jesus shocks them by suggesting that the Kingdom of God is as common as the mustard bush. We do not know this because we are separated by time, culture and GEOGRAPHY. The call for us today is to notice and give access (if we can) to all kinds of beings this presence of God. No it is not rare, it is as plentiful and accessible as the mustard bush. Notice I called it bush, not tree (hint hint).

Friday October 25, 2024

Luke 12:53-59

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?

What time is it? When you visit Zambia someday you will be asking this question a lot. Well should I say I asked this question a lot because very few of us had watches or clocks. My people did not keep or understand time as westerners do. We had early morning, morning, before lunch, after lunch, evening, night, then other times such as birthing time, mourning time, puberty time, celebration time. You get it right?

So what season are you in right now in your life? The most challenging of all times for me is “waiting time.” Waiting and not knowing time is particularly difficult. I pray you are not like me. Anyway our Lord wants the disciples to be good at telling God’s time. The kingdom of God is now and they could not tell. Thank goodness we can!!

Thursday October 24, 2024

Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!

A very good morning to you. Today I join my brothers and sisters in Zambia to celebrate my home country’s 60th independence anniversary. I cannot believe just how far we have come as a country after the British left. May we continue to grow and never lose our unique flavor.

Today Our Lord Jesus says to us in very clear terms that the Laissez-faire attitude in life is unacceptable. He wants his disciples to be on fire, to have passion for Godly things. The question for me truly is: am I merely existing or am I passionate about my calling? If truth be told, I do both. Sometimes days drag on with no sense of purpose and every once in a while I get fired up. I invite you today to find the things that fire you up and commit to them again.

Live with purpose today!!!!

Monday October 21, 2024

Luke 13:13-21

A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’

Vanity of vanities, everything is vanity. I remember reading this beautiful passage as a young seminarian. So much vanity takes up so much of our time. Our Lord invites us to turn the page from vanities and find what makes our lives secure. What do you think it is? I have always thought of Faith, Family, Friendship. If you ever find yourself with someone or something that wants to disturb that balance…separate from it.

Love you

Wednesday October 16, 2024

Luke 11:42-46

The Lord said to the Pharisees: ‘Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone. Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogues and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares! Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it!

Imagine telling the Pharisees that they are unclean and thus make anyone they come into contact unclean. These are some harsh words from our Lord. Words which we can cheer on or words that would bring us to a closer walk with Jesus.

Recently while on retreat I learned about my childhood trauma that somehow contributes to how I receive and view things today. I went through enough childhood trauma to fill the pages of the L ‘Osservatore Romano. I could not stand the thought that despite my best efforts, I too will create trauma for my son. None of us escapes childhood and even adulthood with a brush with trauma.

The question is are we blind to our own trauma and thus project unbelievable pain to others. Some of these Pharisees were good people who just needed guidance to sort their issues out. In this space we journey inwards and do some fixing so we can better change. Let me know if you wanna go on this such retreat next year.