Thursday October 26, 2023

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!

Have you ever been around people who have no fire in their belly? Well I and four other novices were that group that gave our novice master the impression that we had zero fire. The good Irish man would remark and say “ have some fire in your belly for Christ’s sake!” I remember his words with a smile on my face. We were just going through a phase, a do nothing or bare minimum phase.

What do you suppose make Jesus say such a thing? A decision, a choice had to be made at some point. The disciples would not just get along to go along with everyone or everything. Making a decision is a tough thing especially for people pleasers. But that is life my friends. I pray for you today that when that time comes to make a choice you do it with passion.

Tuesday October 24,2023

Luke 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks.

Today the country of my birth Zambia, celebrates our Independence Day. I remember this day fondly as we left school early for the wonderful celebration. Are you independent? Are you free? If you are like me it seems we free ourselves from one thing only to be ruled by another. May the reality of freedom move deep within and set free our eagerness to know God, ourselves and others.

Our Lord in the gospel asks us to be prepared. To be vigilant for his second coming. That simply means for me to get in the habit of asking myself how I am doing. Today I asked myself how different next year October 24 will be. What do I want to see and how will I prepare.

Monday October 23, 2023

Romans 4:20-25

Since God had made him a promise, Abraham refused either to deny it or even to doubt it, but drew strength from faith and gave glory to God, convinced that God had power to do what he had promised.

Do you have faith? The kind that makes you look stupid in the eyes of others? I know you have faith because a certain light disappears from your face when you lose this faith that God will bring about the impossible. Today I want you to search your life of the internet for testimonies of how God came through for others. Back in the day when I belonged to the charismatic renewal we used to begin our prayer services by sharing how what God had done for us. We shared the small and big miracles. What that does is remind others that God is working in our lives. My testimony today is —- I really thought we were going to lose the church at one time. Our numbers were done and the fire within was fading. Then God sent and unexpected angel and revived our choir. What seemed impossible happened in a few short weeks. Yahweh lives!! What has God done for you recently?

Sunday October 22, 2023

Isaiah 45:1 4-6

Matthew 22:15-21

I know some of you will not make it to our fall outdoor mass and I wanted to share this good news from today’s Sunday. Here are two thoughts:

From the first reading. Did you know you are the anointed one of God? Yes you, I know you don’t look it or act it or even believe it. But listen in the grand plan of God, you have been anointed. The Israelites had long waited for a messiah but when he showed up he looked nothing like they expected. He was probably darker and did not even know the God of Israel. He was a freaking Persian!!! What a joke!! The Lord says to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp. Aaa one little problem Yahweh, this dude does not even worship you, his intentions are political, this is all strategy on his part. And God said, accept him or stay as a slave.

So yes you!!! You may not know him or worship him perfectly but you are chosen.

Secondly from the gospel: whose image is on the coin and whose inscription, Jesus asks. Forget that question though and go deeper. Visit the question Jesus is not asking. Whose image is on your soul and what is the inscription… on the coin was Caesar and the inscription “Caesar son of Tiberius” Do you know the inscription on your soul? Come to church, I will tell you.

Love you and looking forward to seeing you.

Thursday October 19, 2023

Luke 11:47-54

Alas for you lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves, and have prevented others going in who wanted to.’

Here is the job folks…. Don’t complicate it, He wants his banquet hall filled. So let’s go out today and open the door for as many people as we can. The problem sometimes is we meet that one person or church elder sometimes who is miserable and even without knowing it wants to make others miserable. The miracle is that sometimes we are that person. We pray during our prayer today that whatever is happening in our lives if it is not helpful that it stops with us. This actually is the message of the cross. The cross says “It stops here.”

Listen friend, you have the keys of the Kingdom.

Wednesday October 18, 2023

Luke 10:1-9

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit.

What where their names and where do they go? These unknown went to the rest of the world proclaiming that “The Lord is with you.” They carried a simple message that love is the answer. I think of the Irish and Italian priests and nuns who brought the faith to Zambia. They were following the lord’s command.

But you have been called and summoned as well. You have been given gifts that open up the God reality for your children or friends. These 72 did not have all the answers but they had purpose. This world was gonna be different after them. Come let us make a tiny difference for Christ.

Tuesday October 17, 2023

Luke 11:37-41

Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him, ‘Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness.

Well that is one way of guaranteeing you are not invited back. Sometimes I bury my head in my hands and say “Lord, we gotta be diplomatic about these things.” I do think however that Our Lord had a sense of humor and said these things that come off sometimes dry when translated. The point however is delivered. Conversion has to be from the inside out. If what we do is simply for show and has no meaning then it is a waste of time. One of the ways or avenues that the church has put before us to help with Inner reflection is the sacrament of confession. I know it is not so popular these days but it gives us pause. Take the time today and do some reflection. How is my connection with God? We all can change a little thing about ourselves.

Monday October 16, 2023

Luke 11:29-32

The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:

‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

I thought the bigger crowds meant his message was finally breaking through. But Jesus saw all through that, there was no love connection, they wanted a sign. Do something extraordinary then we will believe. But if they cannot find God in the small matters running to Jesus for the big things will not work. It is easier to recognize the big blessings when you have been recognizing the small ones all along. I was thinking this past Sunday and I asked myself this question. What did it take for me to be here now? Things had to line up perfectly, the conditions had to be right for the arrival to happen. You may have no idea how many pieces had to be moved around to have you HERE. Blessed are those who know.

Friday October 13, 2023

Luke 11:15-26

When Jesus had cast out a devil, some of the people said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven;

I will come back to reflect on this but I wanted to share something from the great prayer our lord Jesus Christ taught us. Remember I rematches other day that knowing or speaking another language opens you to new worlds? The translated version of the prayer says in part “…thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven….” However the Aramaic version says “…thy will be done in the heavens as it is on earth…”

Whatever you think of the present in your life, it is so mingled up with God’s will. I know sometimes this is super hard to see but you have to come to Rabbouni to learn more

Todays passage simply asks us to never stop. People, especially those with nothing going on, will always criticize. So don’t it it for anyone but the God who is conscious in your soul. Have a great weekend and thank you for supporting Rabbouni Catholic Community we appreciate you.

Wednesday October 11, 2023

Luke 11:1-4

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’

Do you believe in answered prayer? Or that God is listening? About three years ago I remarked on Facebook that I wished I would say the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic. The following Sunday, Travis Martin brought a friend to church who spoke the language of Jesus. This angel recorded/prayed this beautiful prayer as Jesus would have said it. Since then, I say the Abun Dipshmaya in the original language.

Language is beautiful because it opens up a whole new world. But hear this, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray but he taught them how to live. This Is more than words, it is a way of life. My hope is that we do not only recite the words…. My hope is we live the prayer. Together we pray as our Lord Jesus Christ taught us “Our Father who is everywhere and in everything thing….”

Tuesday October 10, 2023

Luke 10:38-42

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him

Have you ever been at a table and you were fighting the battles within the whole time. That feeling of “I don’t belong here” or that thought “I should be doing something else.” Have you ever been at a table or place where other people made you feel unwelcome, uncomfortable but you stayed anyway because the issues were too important to absent yourself?

Today Jesus welcomes at his table on equal footing a woman named Mary. Forget the anger of the disciples and even her sister. The lord wants to hear Mary. As I said this past Sunday, none of us are pawns in the kingdom. We all have a word to speak.

So the the insecure come, to the unsure… come, to the uncomfortable … come. To you come, I want to hear your voice.

Monday October 9, 2023

Luke 10:21-37

Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead.

You know this story very well. We often refer to it as the Story of the Good Samaritan. I wonder how that sounds like the the Samaritans . Anyway that Is besides the point. The first thing that strikes us in this passage is that the man was headed from Jerusalem to Jericho. All the stories at this time lead to Jerusalem. This man is going the wrong way!

Remember the song: Jerusalem Jerusalem it is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. There is only one who has come from God, from the place of the Temple where God dwells, Jesus himself. He has been ignored by priests and levites but it is the outcast who has gone out of his way to attend to the holy one who has come God, from Jerusalem. The religious did not attend to him for good reason, lest they make themselves unclean. Real church is not neat, it is messy. Real marriage is not Facebook perfect, it is messy. Maybe we should turn down the pose and live the real life. Let’s meet our people where they are, we might just be touching the face of God.

Friday October 6, 2023

Luke 10:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

Do you ever stop and just count your blessings. Do you ever take stock of the good things, the miracles that you have been given? I am a total result of answered prayer. I was not the smartest , not the tallest but of all those Lenje little boys growing up in Zambia from this beautiful tribe, I end up in Kentucky! Yahweh lives!!!! I tell you Yahweh lives.

Jesus is shocked with how entitled Chorazin and Bethsaida are. They are unable to see the hand of God at work in them. I know you have more insight than them. Then….. stop the worry. All will be well.

Thursday October 5, 2023

Luke 10:1-12

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.

So when you are about to step on the stage, what do you say to yourself. Maybe it is not the stage but before you open your car door or step into that class. Whoever we are and wherever we are, we all step into a role.

Most of you know that I am a nervous preacher. As I step to read the Gospel I nervously say “Lord I am scared, take over, take over” and it’s game time!

I have to say I was sent because he wants to visit this place, this soul. All He asks is I ready it. You have been making ready the visit of our Lord all along. Some of us do it in accounting, some of us in teaching and others in the medical field. Understand yourself as SENT and it changes everything.

Wednesday October 4, 2023

Feast of St Francis of Assisi

As Jesus and his disciples travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’

Today we celebrate the feast of St Francis. Many stories abound about him. Here are a few that have so incredibly touched my life. His use of the term “brother” and “sister.” Give it a try and see how it changes your day. Thank you sister fresh air, thank you brother sun, glad to be in your shed brother tree, thank you for watering the earth sister rain. There is something remarkable about being one with nature. We gain respect for all that surrounds us. May we love the earth and all that is in it. I think our connection to the other kinds not just the human kind is what makes us holy.

Secondly—- he is believed to have said “preach always and use words only when it is necessary.”

Enough said!!

Tuesday October 3, 2023

Luke 9:51-56

“As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. “

You and I have heard the expression that life is a journey. So I gotta ask? Where are we headed? I don’t know how much Jesus knew at the beginning of the journey. Did his plans change? Was he thrown any curveballs? Yes he has his eyes on Jerusalem the holy city but I don’t think he knows every detail. I do believe he knows this: God is by his side.

Where are you headed? What plans do we have for the next 10 years? Maybe part of my problem is that I do not plan the future that well. But looking at the past 10 years I can say this. God does send people/angels in our lives for a reason, for a season and for a lifetime. May the road ahead be a blast for you.

Guardian Angels

October 2, 2023 Exodus 23:20-23

The Lord says this: ‘I myself will send an angel before you to guard you as you go and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.

I had the most vivid imagination as a child. I remember praying to my guardian Angel and my little mind seeing this heavenly figure. I swear it was him who saved me when I almost fell into the gorge when we had snuck out to go to the mighty Victoria falls, I think it was him who shushed the warthogs away around the Zambezi river when I came face to face with them.

Today’s feast is simply a reminder that you are not alone. You walk in the company of angels and whether you know it or not you are watched over. Go on YouTube and watch these videos of how people escape death by the slights of moves. I also want to thank my other guardian angels… you! You guys are the only proof I need that God is and God is able.

Friday September 29, 2023

John 1:47-51

Feast of St Michael. St Gabriel and St Raphael

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit

You should have heard what Nathanael said about Jesus. “Jesus? From Nazareth? Can anything good come out of that miserable place..”

so right from the get go these two should not get along but everything changed when they met. I believe the Arch angels did some work to clear the ground.

Do you believe in Angels? They seem to be scary things because there first greeting is always “Don’t freak out” Today I ask Michael to help me in my battles, I ask Raphael to bring healing to broken situations and Gabriel to bring us some good news. We could use some good news. So together with Gabriel I bring you good news of great joy. Today God will fight your battles and heal your family. Amen

Thursday September 28, 2023

Haggai 8:1-8

So now, the Lord of Hosts says this: Reflect carefully how things have gone for you. You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have enough, drink but never have your fill, put on clothes but do not feel warm. The wage earner gets his wages only to put them in a purse riddled with holes. So go to the hill country, fetch wood, and rebuild the House: I shall then take pleasure in it, and be glorified there, says the Lord.”

This beautiful reading from the prophet invites us and reminds us to set our priorities right. The house of the Lord was in ruins while the people built mansions for themselves. Unless we put God in the rightful place in our lives, until we restore the right relationship with God there will be restlessness. Whatever the mistakes, whatever the past has been let today be the day we recognize the place of God in our lives.

Our souls are wired for this divine relationship folks.

Tuesday September 26, 2023

Luke 8:19-21

The mother and the brothers of Jesus came looking for him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd.

His family came looking for him because word was sent to them that he had gone mad. So out of love and pain they made the journey to go bring him home. You know sometimes we get the idea that Jesus was all by himself out there. But his family was also involved in his ministry. James his brother or cousin for good Catholics, became the first Bishop of the mother church in Jerusalem. By the way, if you really want to know the thoughts of Jesus you should read his brothers letter—— James. His Uncle Cleopas and wife are mentioned in the journey to Emmaus. His mother was at the cross. There was a whole lot of them than we realize. My favorite line in scripture is “those who are with us are more than those who are with them..”

Today say a prayer for all those who support you quietly. I am so grateful to see how my family has grown and you are part of it. Thank you!!