Tuesday April 15, 2025
John 13:21-33
While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’
Have you ever been betrayed? Has someone ever hated your guts that they wanted to destroy your whole life? Most people who suffer this curse are blindsided by it. We wake up one day and wonder why we did not see it at all. But imagine seeing it all along and keeping your calm.
Today we meet a Jesus who sits down and has a meal with his betrayer. This person will not change who Jesus is at his core. This brethren takes a lot of spiritual stamina.
Let us pray this day for all those who have been turned into someone they don’t like because of betrayal. I pray you find your way back to your beautiful spiritual soul. Who said Christianity or spirituality is for the weak?
Friday April 11, 2025
John 10:31-42
The Jews fetched stones to stone him, so Jesus said to them, ‘I have done many good works for you to see, works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?’
These guys are quick to pick up stones. Just the other day they had stones in their hands to throw at a woman. No one is safe with this many stones in that land.
Sometimes we get the impression that Jesus simply let things happen to him. That like a sheep he let them drag him here and there. No actually, to be a man of God you have to be tough and fight back…… well push….back even when the stones are in the hands of the accusers. He was not going to let them push him around. He was going to challenge them.
Two things to think about today. What “stones” do I easily pick up? Remember scripture is about digging deeper and deeper in our own lives and ridding ourselves of vice. Am I quick to judge? Am I quick to blame others? Am I short sighted? Blessed is the one who knows the stone in his hand for they can drop it.
Secondly, like Jesus can I find ways to challenge the false narratives and be a self advocate?Someone once told me a long time ago to stop explaining myself. They said, “let your actions speak…” Well, that is tough sometimes because the news travels faster than actions these days but point to your work. Your good works will outpace any false narrative.
Fr. Chibundi
Thursday April 10, 2025
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. You shall no longer be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I make you father of a multitude of nations.
This is a powerful reading but I will pivot and write a bit on part of my homily this past Sunday. I cannot shake it off for some reason. At mass we read the story of the woman caught in adultery and part of my reflection was this: In the Bible especially the New Testament, words matter a lot. Almost every word is counted and opens the door for a theological concept. I remember being given the assignment to count how many times the word “must” appears in the gospel of Mark and explain it. That ended up in a 10 page paper on the “imperative must.”
Anyway Jesus says to the woman, “woman, has no one condemned you…? Jesus useds this word “woman” or “Gunai” two other times in this gospel. At the wedding in Cana he says to his mother “woman” or “Gunai” what business is this to me? And at the cross before he breathes his last he says “woman” or “Gunai” behold your son and to the disciple he loved, behold your mother.
Why would he use the same word for his mother and this woman brought before him? Maybe he used this word as a sign of respect to the woman. This woman who had been called many names is now looked at and respected by Jesus. Or are they trying to accuse his mother? I am sorry my mind goes there. Did they just do what I think they did to embarrass him?
I have a lot more to write about this but I am sure you have things and places to go. Think about this and ask the 4 important questions I suggest Jesus wrote down:
1. Is this true
2. Is this Kind
3. Is this Necessary
4. Is this the whole story?
Monday April 7, 2025
John 8:12-20
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
‘I am the light of the world;
anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark;
he will have the light of life.’
At this the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’
Jesus replied:
‘It is true that I am testifying on my own behalf,
but my testimony is still valid,
because I know
where I came from and where I am going;
I really like a confident person. Someone who knows who they are and whose they are. Today in this short reflection we meet a very confident Jesus who will not give ground to those who have nothing going for themselves and meddle in the affairs of others. He refuses to let them through him off his game. There will come a time when you my friend will have to claim your truth. I want you to do it like Christ. Claim your truth without being bitter towards those who meddle.
Wednesday April 2, 2025
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.
You know why all this scuffle is all about right? Jesus healed someone on the sabbath. This was considered work on a Holy Day and therefore sinful.
Sometimes I bury my head in my hands when I hear what church folk fight about. I wonder quietly if this is real life. When I was in seminary there was saying which went like “the only difference between a terrorist and a liturgist is that you can negotiate with a terrorist.”
Anyway back to the teaching. God the father is at work!!! Have you ever waited with anticipation to see what a great writer, or artist or distiller is working on? Have you ever stood in line for it? God is working on you today, this will be his greatest work and even as he works on you, even when you are not fully finished, you are a masterpiece. Here is the trick. So is the other person who is giving you a headache.
Be patient today, God is working on it. Maybe we can assist??? Maybe!!
Tuesday April 1, 2025
John 5:1-16
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
Something had happened at Bethzatha. This was a place of healing which was slowly turning into a place of chaos and selfishness. Whenever the waters rose it was every man for himself. Yes these were all sick people wanting a healing but they cared. For no one but themselves. I do not think they became selfish people but maybe they were just tired of being sick and wanted to take care of themselves first.
No matter how big our pain is, we are encouraged here to take care of others. Do not let your pain turn you into a monster. In fact many times we find healing when we can look out and find someone who needs help. It is in helping others that our healing happens.
Our Lord brought compassion to this place of healing. May he continue to bring it into our churches and homes.
Friday March 28, 2025
Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus replied, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’
To my brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith I want to wish you a blessed Eid this coming Sunday. May Allah bless you abundantly.
Do you know which has become the greatest commandment? The unspoken commandment known by every Jew. “Listen, Israel, there is but One God and it ain’t you!!” I think this has humor but it drives home the point. Stop making gods of yourself or other things.
However I want to be clear, I would not dare add or subtract to what our Lord is saying here. It got confusing. My understanding is that by the time this question was asked, they had over 633 commandments. You would sin if you got out of bed the wrong way. Jesus says today, remember what is important. Love God, love neighbor, everything else is commentary. This actually does not over simplify things. On the contrary it becomes super tough. All the wars have been started because we did not see God in the other. You will do well to remember that God is other!!
Thursday March 27, 2025
Luke 11:14-23
Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.
We pick up two themes from this beautiful passage. First Is that Our Lord was working on a project of casting out a demon. I often say of myself that I am a working project. God is always at work within me, driving out those things that prevent me from becoming more like him. Identifying what God is working on in me means that I am almost done. It means that I can cooperate with the grace of God to finish the work. I want to pray for those who are fighting big battles of the spirit. Those who are struggling psychologically and emotionally. God is at work in you and he will finish this work.
Secondly find a way of silencing in your own life the voices of destruction. The Pharisees always criticized Jesus. This time they call him the devil. I have said that self criticism can be constructive but too much of it is not from God. I am my most severe critic and it has taken me a lifetime and many mistakes to realize that God loves me as I am. Listen, you are GOOD!!!
Monday March 24, 2025
Luke 4:24-30
Jesus came to Nazara and spoke to the people in the synagogue: ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.
Things got so bad with this hometown visit that they chased Jesus out with stones.
You know for your own sanity you will have to identify those folk earlier in your life. Identify people whom you can never do right in their minds. If fact these people sometimes can not be too far from you. Do not waste your time, money and energy on them. Just move on with a smile. Trust me they are watching your every move. I had a class not so long ago with one such a person. I sat in the very front of his class and he did not see me at all. I kind of over did it though coz I made sure to wear a nice blazer and looked eloquent. I knew mama would be proud of how I looked.
I just don’t get waking up every morning harboring hate because someone else is doing well. Let’s grow up people!!! Anyway the point is. Find your ministry and do it like no one is watching. It is just you and God. Hey look good while doing it too
Wednesday March 19, 2025
Matthew 1:16,18-21,24
Feast Day of St. Joseph
Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ
If you want to experience the spirit of St Joseph, you should visit the small little church in Raywick, Kentucky. It is not really small but this church was closed down by the archdiocese many years ago but it refused to close. I mean it has very quietly stayed alive and kept the community engaged. The Spirit of St Joseph is alive in the people of this beautiful village and without much support from the archdiocese they have kept the church alive. For what is church but an engaged community that believes in Christ.
Today I invite you to look for the quiet supporters in your life. People who work to the bone but always want to stay in the shadows. Thank you for being like St Joseph. Thank you for your quiet support.
Tuesday March 18, 2025
Matthew 24:1-12
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach.
How many think our Lord had a problem with organized religion? Well maybe that is unfair. The institution is important and very much needed. I actually think our Lord loved it and was looking for ways to redirect it to its main purpose. I had a teacher in seminary who told us that Jesus never intended to start a church. That he sought to renew his religion. This Jesuit priest went on to say that Jesus was never a Christian. Scandalous absolutely scandalous.
Anyway back to the teaching. I have to look into my life and find out how I am not living out my faith. Not so long ago I began a homily by asking how many hypocrites we had in church. A few raised their hands and I was so pleased they did. Truth be told we all struggle to narrow the gap between our faith and our lived experience. This Lenten season through our prayer, fasting and alms giving may be truly become what we profess. Hey and if you are struggling with this, I want you to know that I am proud of you. It shows that you are a working progress.
Love you
Friday March 14, 2025
Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Most of the scribes and Pharisees were good people who preserved the law and prophets. But they were a few who made a mockery of religion. These drove Jesus bananas. These were the few and very loud ones who had reduced religion into rules which they themselves could not keep. They became an obstacle to Grace. They had some good in them because even a dead clock is right two times a day but boy did they bring chaos and misery to the people of God.
Today I want you to think of how you in your own little corner can bring compassion and understanding to religion. Go deeper!!! I have always said that I love a God with broad shoulders who can take my not so always religious self. The people at Rabbouni have loved me through difficult times (sometimes self inflicted).
My prayer always is that we do not become a church of the insiders and outsiders. A church that does not walk the talk. So find ways today to go deeper in your compassion, in your forgiveness, in your understanding of human weakness.
On another note, join us this coming Sunday for our 16 anniversary redo. We will have a meal after mass to visit and celebrate 16 miraculous years. I cannot wait to see you. You might like us.
Thursday March 13, 2025
Matthew 7:7-12
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
Most of us are terrible at asking. This is a good thing by the way. We are terrible at asking for help because we have been raised in a “can do it” culture. I love people who put in the effort to getting what they want. Please do not ever stop that. However, we cannot do it all by ourselves and when we have put in the best effort adding a little divine assistance is always good.
There are also spiritual needs in our lives which when they are not fulfilled will leave us empty and broken despite our “material success.” So ask for the spiritual fulfillment from God.
Today I just want you to identify what is missing in your life? Is there peace? Is there hurt? Have the humility to simply ask. God help me.
Monday March 10, 2025
Matthew 25:31-46
Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food;
I hope you are having a great first week of lent. If I may ask, what did you give up? This is a holy time not only for us who observe lent but also for our Muslim friends who observe Ramadan. We are all wanting to turn our hearts to God. So what did you give up?
I was shocked when I read the instructions on fasting. As a young seminarian I thought God enjoyed seeing me hungry during this period. Obviously that is a sick image of God but it is one I had. The instructions on fasting state that “at the end of the fasting, you should count how much money you saved and give it to the poor..” Fasting is not an end to itself and no God does not want us to be miserable. God wants us to find him hidden in those less fortunate. In this beautiful passage Jesus says God is hidden in the hungry, the unclothed, the prisoners…
So if you can bring some dignity to those whom society has thrown away, that would bring you closer to God.
Love you
Fr. Chibundi
Ash Wednesday March 5, 2025
Matthew 6:1-18
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven.
Today we begin the long journey to Easter by marking ourselves with Ashes. This is a reminder of our mortality and an invitation to focus on what is really important. Our number one call in this life is to align our lives with the Will of God. Ask yourself this important question today. Where am I going? Am I going towards God or away from God? What are the little things I can do to align myself with God’s call on my life?
The church puts before us the disciplines of Fasting, Prayer and Alms giving. I have added a fourth discipline for Rabbouni: RECONCILIATION. Take this time to mend a broken relationship. I know it is difficult. It may even seem unfair that yet again you are being asked to be the bigger person when it was you who was deliberately hurt by another. Make little steps to reconciliation. You will be a better person for it.
Love you
Fr Chibundi
Tuesday February 4, 2025
Mark 10:28-31
At that time Peter began to tell Jesus, ‘What about us? We have left everything and followed you.’
Is St. Peter asking for a security guarantee? You can sense the tension in this question from him. Following the Lord has not been plain sailing, in fact it feels like a miscalculation.
Most of us have asked ourselves a form of that question. What am I doing here? I have nothing to show for all the work?
I certainly do not have all the answers to these questions but I want to believe that everything we do will have some meaning. Peter and the disciples are better people today because of the journey they are on. So do not look for results but believe that it will pay off. The disciples had a tragic end but they changed the world.
You know… I still dream of having our own church building in my lifetime but in the meantime I will enjoy this beautiful community we have. Stay encouraged on your journey my friend. Sometimes it takes a long time to see the results.
Friday February 28, 2025
Mark 10:1-12
Jesus came to the district of Judaea and the far side of the Jordan. And again crowds gathered round him, and again he taught them, as his custom was. Some Pharisees approached him and asked, ‘Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?’
They asked the wrong question. The right question is … is it lawful for a wife to divorce her husband? I kid. But I heard that over 60% of divorces these days are initiated by women. Yes things have changed. What is the teaching here when we take the historical context.
When you come to Zambia or Zimbabwe you will notice that polygamy is not a dirty word. In fact it can be seen as a sign of wealth. People with great wealth have several spouses and a ton of children. Everything is property…..sadly sometimes.
Women at this time in history and in my own time growing up in the motherland were dispensable. What our Lord says is “do not treat others as property, they have intrinsic value. This goes for both men and women and yes children too.
This was so tough a teaching that the disciples asked for clarification later on. They rarely did that. So today we check ourselves and ask. Am I the kind of person who ‘uses’ others? If so, I need to change that. Everyone has value
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Mark 9:41-50
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.
After 2000 years of evangelization we think this is an easy ask that Our Lord is asking of the world. But remember, the word Christian has changed. It was not always popular. Some would argue that it was a curse word. One that would bring the pain of death. The members of “the way” were a destabilizing group.
Here is a question that has been put to me. If you were arrested for being Christian Fr Chibundi, would they find enough evidence to convict you? Do you and I blend in too much that we don’t matter?
St. Francis said it beautifully “Preach always and when necessary use words.”
Love you
Monday February 24, 2025
Mark 9:14-29
When Jesus, with Peter, James and John came down from the mountain and rejoined the disciples, they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them.
Now this is one of those passages that I ask you to read in full. The large crowd was arguing with the disciples because the disciples had failed to drive out a demon. Our Lord comes and he takes over the situation healing the young man. At the end of this passage, the disciples ask Our Lord “why were we not able to cast the demon out?” His response was “This kind can only be driven out by prayer.”
Let that sink in. What in the world were the disciples doing? What are we doing when faced with a demon in our own lives? Sometimes in church we do everything else except the one important thing—- PRAY. We can be busy bodies doing other important things that need to be done but we have to remember that church is about fostering the space for prayer.
So have you prayed about your situation or have you just talked about it or built programs around it? May we remember this instruction from Our Lord. PRAY!!!
Wednesday February 19, 2025
Mark 8:22-26
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
Have you noticed that Our Lord has a unique way of healing. Yes sometimes he heals you on the spot but other times he takes someone away from the noise. Remember how he healed Jairus’ daughter? He cleared the room. Today he takes this man away from the very people who brought him. For some people, no healing will happen if they keep the same company. Get away from negative people!!! In fact RUN, separate yourself so you can see clearly.
Think about this. If one struggles with alcoholism and wants to quit but keeps hanging around heavy drinkers it just does not help. Find new company!!
Do you need to go away so you can see clearly? I know that sometimes this is almost impossible but you may owe it to yourself.
Much love
Fr Chibundi