Tuesday January 9, 2024

Mark 1:21-23

In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!

There was something different with his teaching. Unlike the Pharisees, Our Lord taught with authority. Not yelling and screaming, not coming on a private plane but he spoke with power and they felt it. Have you ever spoken with power and authority? It is said that we have all had an experience of power and we recognize it. The power of the government to govern you for example. We give them that power. But there is another power, the power of your experience. You can be an authority on the things you have experienced. You have power to speak to people who struggle with weight because it is your daily struggle or the power to comfort those who grieve because you know by experience how much it sucks. You are not a powerless being no no in fact you can drive out the demons that attack people in their weak moments because you fight those demons every day.

Talking about power, it is understood in two different ways from the world of scripture. The Latin speak of Potestas the power to rule. Think pontential. it is structural power. The Greeks speak of Exorcia that is the power to drive from within. Think exorcism…

Jesus had exorcia kind of power, he drove people through inspiration. I pray that you too embrace the Exorcia Holy Spirit force to be reckoned with.

The evil spirit in this man threw him down into convulsions. It was horrible to see and experience. You know, sometimes you too may be thrown down and experience pain before all is well. There is going to be pain… but you will be better for it. Healing is not for the weak!!!

Monday January 8, 2024

Yesterday we celebrated the feast of the Epiphany. I said after the three wise men left, the three wise women arrived quietly with gifts of diapers, baby formula and spaghetti.

.You know in antiquity this feast celebrated three miracles; The visit of the magi, the baptism of the Lord and the wedding at Cana. The theme in all these events is the great realization that God has actively intervened in human history. There is a shock factor in these events. A factor we do not pay much attention to but one that we have to keep in mind. YAHWEH was a tribal God. Owned, possessed and controlled by the people of Israel. This God had no problem destroying (through the hands of his subjects) other peoples and their Gods. In fact the idea of monotheism (one God) was not known in the early pages of the Bible.

The big shock is when the people of Israel came to realize that God has other children as well. Ones whose practices are not so Jewish. In the Hebrew Scriptures he says “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Why has this been such a hard lesson for us? The foreigners (magi) searched for God as pagans, they found Christ as pagans, payed homage as pagans and left as pagans. It’s all good.

So this feast that celebrates the revelation of God to the nations invites us to stop trying to own God. This God respects other cultures and reveals himself to them. God does find a way. So whoever you are, wherever you are the divine presence will let you find her.

Friday January 5, 2024

John 1:43-51

After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?

Oh Nate, Nate don’t say that. It is not politically correct. Do you know someone by the name of Nathaniel? Nate? Let me guess, he is brutally honest. It comes with the name. When I think of the Nates I know, Lawd help their honesty. They will tell you in no uncertain terms exactly what is on their mind. Today we meet a Nathaniel in our scriptures. When the other disciples tell him that they have found the messiah, the one Moses wrote about and he is from Nazareth. Nate responds “can anything good come from that place?”

Tell you what, the story of Jesus is one fascinating story. At every corner we find that Jesus really comes from a rough place. Born in a cow cave, lived in Nazareth ( think filth and stench), dies on a cross and he is God. From the most unlikely places God shines. What is your excuse for not letting God shine? I mean you have it so good, it must be 10 times easier for you and I to say we are blessed beyond measure.

Another thought from today’s readings is this. Let us not use our painful past as an excuse to close in on ourselves. Are you from a broken family? Good!! Are you from a alcoholic family? Good!! Did someone call you unattractive? Good!! All these experiences can help open our eyes. Remember and try not to be a victim.

Back to Nathaniel or Nate. What do you think he was doing under the fig tree? Maybe he was praying for a sign, a sign of the kingdom. Maybe Rabbouni is another of those signs that God sees you lovingly. Love you!!

Thursday January 4, 2024

John 1:35-42

As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour.

So Mary Ann has banned me from ever trying to be March maker. When I see two single people my natural instinct is wanting to introduce them to each other but I get the look and a honey bless your heart, that would never work. I always seem to get that one wrong.

Anyway the story of Jesus and John continues on and now St John is trying to find good matches for Jesus. He says to his disciples “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. The two awkwardly follow Jesus and when in his presence they are dumbfounded and ask “where do you live bro” Our Lord responds “come and see.”

I have had a number of “come and sees” in my formation as a priest. Some places I went I lasted for three days only because the food was good but other places it felt God. The prayer life was right, the apostolate was right, the group was right. It felt like being home, being with people who would raise me right. Do you want to find a church where you feel connected to God in a unique way? Visit as many churches as you can, you will find one that is real for you. And it might work for a little while or a long while. Make sure you stop by Rabbouni as well. Come and see and bring a cousin, they might like us.

Wednesday January 3, 2024

1 John 2: 29 - 3:9

Good morning. I pray that this day be filled with blessings as we send our children back to school. I don’t know about yours but our Grayson wanted a little bit more time off. Dude, it has been two weeks stop complaining and head back to life. Actually the other day he asked me about my new year’s resolution. I totally forgot about resolutions … see what happens to you when you become the police. Anyway my answer to him after he pressed me was “my resolution is to make a resolution every day.” He was not impressed.

What if I woke up every day with a resolution. Today I want to be the bringer of silliness. Be a little silly in this very serious world and see what happens eh. Anyway let us look at our scripture. The verse for my reflection today is “Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,

by letting us be called God’s children;

and that is what we are.” You and I have been lavished this great gift, we now belong to God. This past Sunday I talked about the talent show called The X Factor. They try to find something about the contestants that separates them from the others. Some people have an X Factor. Well, you have the X Factor too. Being a child of God. My prayer today is that you truly come to know this beautiful, powerful element in you. Filled with the spirit of the Father you can rise above anything. Bishop TJ Jakes “thank your haters, they have been placed in your life to make you great.” I don’t know how that works but I believe him.

Come on child of God, see yourself.

Wednesday January 31, 2024

Mark 6:1-6

Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’

Are there people you need to move away from so you can grow into the person God wants you to be? Well our Lord today walks away from his hometown because of their lack of faith. Remember this, we meet some people for a reason, others for a season and yet others for a lifetime. Be wise

Tuesday January 2, 2024

John 1:19-28

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you?

As you read these opening versus in the gospel of John a question arises. Why is St John going into overdrive stating over and over again that he was not the Christ but merely one coming before him. Looking at how many ways he says it and tries over and over again to point out who is the Christ gives us a window to look into the confusion in the early church especially among the Johanine community and the followers of Jesus. St John was the charismatic one, in some places his fame may have been greater than our Lord’s. But he emphasizes “I must decrease, he must increase.”

One of the principals to remember as priest or Christian is the 11th commandment. The unspoken commandment of the Jewish people. Remember O Lawman/Israel, there is but one God and you are not it. We have to know our place in the Kingdom. I think I will keep this reflection short and ask you throughout this day to say the unspoken commandment and insert your name. You are not God.

Monday January 1, 2024

Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

A very Happy New Year to you. I wish you all the blessings to fill your cup this year. Remember my family as we begin 2024. My brother is in the ICU in Ohio. Yup 2023 ended on a very bad note but thank goodness we are in America. God’s grace and the advanced medicines and medical care he is in a safe place. You never know folks, don’t ignore your visit to the doctor.

For our reflection we are given the feast of the Holy Family. It is my favorite homily to preach actually. The church puts before us the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus so that we can have a model on which to build our families. I just wish the church did not do that. Here is why. We have Joseph, the man gets orders in his dreams. God tells him at every corner what to do. My dad did not have angelic dreams to tell him what to do! He had his buddies at the tavern/pub. Between drinking the local brew they solved the world’s problems. You should have heard my dad talking with his buddies. Mama would just shake her head and walk away muttering “oh men!” The mother in this holy family is the blessed Virgin Mary. Well I won’t get into it but mama is as far away from the Holy Blessed Mother of the Lord. She once threw a pot at me. She sent us to church so she can have a minute of silence. And the child in the story is the Son of God, Jesus. The most perfect person to have ever lived. Well I don’t have to tell you about myself, and I am the good one in the family . We are nothing like Jesus.

This is why I think it is unrealistic to ask us to model our families on this perfect family. UNLESS all this holycization (I made up that word) is bologna. Maybe Joseph had no angelic dreams but he was, with the help of God and friends, very connected to what was happening around him. Maybe all he wanted was safety for his family. Think of a young family in Ukrain that is fleeing violence. Are they getting angelic dreams? No!! Think of a man breaking himself in half to provide for his family. We just read the world around us. Come to think of it, dad’s drinking buddies were angels. Pretty happy angels at that. Mom and the blessed mother have so much in common. They both did not have all the answers to all the world’s problems. They both had to figure things out. I can go on and on.

Here is the deal, this family is HOLY because it understands itself as belonging to God. Holiness has to do with how you understand yourself. I am Holy to the extent that I see myself as separate for the Lord. Did you hear me? The nation of Israel is holy because it belongs to YAHWEH. So with all our dramas... we are HOLY too.

Friday December 29, 2023

Luke 2:22-35

“As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.”

There is no magic, you will have to put in the work. One thing that strikes me as I read today’s gospel is the work that the parents of Jesus put in. How much they invested in him, making sure that he grows up to be a good practicing Jewish man. Today they make the long journey to Jerusalem to present their first born son in the temple. They will do everything for him to set him up for life.

As we celebrate this Christmas octave, turn to your parents and say thank you. Life is not perfect, your parents may have made some mistakes here and there. But they gave you the best days of their lives. Non of us are born with a ”how to perfectly raise me” guide. Our parents figure things out as they figure themselves out.

As parents I know I don’t have to tell us this but pray for your children. Bring them everyday before the Lord as Joseph and Mary brought Jesus. Love you.

Thursday December 28, 2023

Matthew 2:13-18

I am sure by now you have noticed that we only have two accounts of the birthday of our Lord. The Greek version from St Luke and the Jewish version from St. Mathew. They are very different stories but our minds make them into one cohesive story. In the Mathew version the main character is Joseph. St Mathew goes to great length to map out the genealogy of Jesus which we heard on Christmas Eve. Mary is but a bystander there. It is Joseph who is connected to Jesus, it is Joseph who received the dream about the child, Joseph is told to name the child, Joseph has a dream to move to Egypt for the safety of the child. No mention of angels here, the dreamer leads.

St Luke however writes a complete different story. Mary receives the news, an Angel Gabriel visits her and gives her the child’s name. It is the blessed mother who named the child. No wise men here. The gospel of Mark and John don’t even touch the birth narratives. We can talk about it later.

Anyway today we read about a very sad event that happened in the life of Jesus. The massacre of the innocents. See we don’t read and understand these narratives as subversive documents but they are. By his very birth Jesus makes Herold and all the powerful tremble. There is a new power that will take over. You carry Devine power and presence in you and naturally make some people uncomfortable. Find a way to Tap into your power base. It could be some embarrassing part of your story. Don’t let that devil use it to crush your dreams. Maybe when Jesus was later told about this event, it fired him up to go to Jerusalem.

You know, many a building, many a life have fallen besides you but he has found a way to hold you up. There is something about you that is unfinished. One more person to hug, one more diaper to change.

Wednesday December 27, 2023

John 20:2-8

The Christmas decorations are still up and I really still want to talk about God’s greatest intervention in the history of the world, in the trajectory of my life. Things have changed now. I remember saying after Grayson was born that “having a kid changes everything”

Well the church wants us to pivot quickly from these birth narratives not that they are less important but there is an urgency of time. So yesterday we here about the death of St Stephen and today it’s the feast of St John the Apostle. The one Jesus loved. There are lots of people who were devastated when things did not turn out as they had thought with Jesus. Mary Magdalene was in disbelief, Peter doubted, Thomas doubted but St John, he saw and believed.

I want you to have deep seeing eyes. See what others see but go beyond. Not in a supernatural, churchy way but maybe through life experience be the one who says “it feels like the end, looks like a disappointing end but God is not done here. You will rise.” Someone has to hold the faith. can that be you? We were thousand of Dollars down at Rabbouni a few weeks ago. Someone said “God will provide, have faith father..”

Believe!!!!!

Friday December 22, 2023

1 Samuel 1:24-28

Do you remember the story of Hannah. She is the woman who was thought of as mad because she would not leave the temple or the priest until she was granted her prayer. She wanted a child and she prayed for this gift like a mad woman. Well God answered her prayer and she named the child SAMUEL. In today’s reading, she goes back to the temple with good news. Yahweh answered my prayer. I want to keep our reflection very short today. Tell me, what did you pray for that has been answered a hundred times over? We call this in the charismatic renewal, giving testimony. GIving testimony builds the faith of others. It is not gloating but saying to someone who is praying so hard for something that God answers prayers. So today we put aside what we are praying for and we mention what has been granted. I prayed for a church family that spoke to my soul and God out of nothing gave me Rabbouni. I prayed for a family and God grew my territory and not only gave me a family but a beautiful family. I prayed for a job, and God granted. What did you cry for night and day to God?

I sure remember a day I used to pray for what I have today. A minute of peace has been enjoyed in my life.

BTW remember us for your end of year giving. 7812 Brownsboro road. Our Christmas Eve masses are December 24 at 10 AM in Lebanon and 4 PM in Louisville. Christmas carols are at 3:30 pm in Louisville. We moved the times for you so come pray with us.

Thursday December 21, 2023

Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.

I love this! Women supporting women! This tradition is one I saw and experienced in the old country. People would come from the village to help with the birthing process. Yes we are all strong people but we all could use a helping hand. Mary forgets her own fears and travels to help another. As Christmas approaches may we all get out of our comfort zones and reach out. When we help another person, we learn something new about ourselves.

Wednesday December 20,2023

Luke 1:26-30

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.

God is about to do something remarkable with someone whom no one could ever give a second look. I know I know it’s a terrible take but one that is most likely. People in this time, culture see the blessing of a woman not a virgin . This is true in my culture as well. We talk of an abundant woman in my culture and I believe in the culture of Jesus. Remember how Jerusalem is described as a woman with abundant breasts who will feed all her children. Zambians let’s be honest what do we say about a skinny woman….what do the elders say? Feed her!!! This is going off the rails.

The Virgin shall conceive is not what westerners think. God is choosing one who has failed to turn a head maybe because they are still a child or hmmm I won’t say it. The magnificant should give us answer “My Soul proclaims my Lord and God for he has looked at his LOWLY servant…now all generations will call me BLESSED…

Folks, the unlikely one, is the one who bears the messiah. How many surprises have come your way from people you never thought much of?

I know I am provoking but I am a foreigner and can use that excuse to stretch the scripture this way.

Tuesday December 19, 2023

Judges 13:2-7

There was a man of Zorah of the tribe of Dan, called Manoah. His wife was barren, she had borne no children.

Thank goodness our language has become a lot more considerate. How cold is it to say someone is Barren. Could they have used language like … the couple struggled with issues of fertility. Trust me, it is still a lonely journey. We still have not figured out how to talk about this condition that continues today. There is someone close to you who has had a miscarriage or who cannot conceive. Today I just want to pray for you. I know how your sadness grows every year and you pray that it works this time. I pray for those who do not have the money to even engage in fertility treatments. I know you cannot really talk to anyone but if you ever wanted to scream or share. We might be able to listen in a way that heals that gaping unseen wound.

Again know this ….God will make a way!!!

Monday December 18, 202

Matthew 1:18-24

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.

We never really hear about the stress of it all. It seems so seamless, everyone moving as the spirit leads them in dreams and all. I bet the real story was a lot more stressful. I bet there were moments when Joseph just wanted to run away. Did this almost break Mary? How stressful was the thought of divorce? Especially if she lived in a good Catholic town (wink).

Here is what you have to say to yourself today. “God will make a way!” What seems impossible in a few months or years will be doable by Gods grace. So today continue to build roads and ways in your life. God will find a way of filling your highways and byways with abundant life.

Btw please remember Rabbouni Catholic Community 7812 Brownsboro road 40242 for your end of year giving. And join us for Mass this coming Sunday 10:00AM in Lebanon and 4:00 pm in Louisville. Christmas music starts at 3:30 pm in Louisville. Love you

Friday December 15. 2023

Matthew 11:16-19

For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’

Here is a word for the wise. When you get your mission from God, do it your way. Jesus found out quickly that no matter what he did, someone was mad at him. This may be easy work for strong willed people but for the few like me in the world who are people pleasers it is torture. However it is part of growing up. Someone will be disappointed even with what you name your dog. So have your mission clear and do it for God. The do nothings who criticize will eventually be quiet as they see you press on. Well they did not for Jesus but for you and I in our world today, our resolve does silence them. Jesus was his own man and that took a ton of courage and ton of loneliness but also a ton of freedom and happiness. You do you pappy!!

BTW if you are thinking of your end of year donation, send us a check at Rabbouni Catholic Community 7812 Brownsboro road Louisville Kentucky 40242.

I thank you

Thursday December 14, 2023

Matthew 11:11-15

Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.

I got carried away at mass in Louisville and I completely left out this most important message. The message of John, the message of Metanoia. This word mentanoia is translated as “repent.” The hidden message in that is you are doing something wrong and changing your ways to start behaving. That could be it. But metanoia is actually change your thinking, the kingdom of God is here. How you think or how you process things is key. We can all decide to start a new lifestyle but really how long does that last? But the discipline of changing how we think and committing to that will eventually change our lives. So I have stopped thinking of us as a small independent Catholic community. No we are a beautiful, giving, vibrant Catholic community.

Love you

Wednesday December 13, 2023

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.

You should come to Mass when I preach an extensive homily on this reading. Do you know anything about putting a yoke on an ox? Find you a Zambian and they will quickly tell you that there is no one size fits all yoke. These things are hand made for a particular ox and if it will be paired up with another ox they start walking them side by side for years before we put the hand made, tailor fitted yoke.

So a one size fits all kind of religion will always make you leave church hurting in some way. Jesus said NO to it. He met people where they were and showed them grace. Show people grace, show them you understand human imperfections and perfections. People need rest, they take deep breaths because we are tired of moving targets. You get there and nope nope it’s something else. Geeez!!!

When you find Jesus, you rest because you know he won’t force you into a false personality. He loves you as you are. I know I am a little weird but I am God’s in my weirdness and God has found me Rabbouni Catholic Community, the perfect yoke for a person like me.

Sorry I got carried away. Religion is supposed not to add stress to you. Just sayin

Tuesday December 12, 2023

Matthew 18:12-24

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? I tell you solemnly, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all.

This one I have never understood. What about the ninety-nine, what if some lion comes along and has a feast with them? There is something lost to culture and time on this one.

So this is my translation and the religious leaders will be furious of this interpretation. There is enough God for this lost one too. Yes God can be with the favorites but God can also be with and there for the troubled one. So the ninety nine need to get off their high horse claiming God for them alone. Heck for all I know this speaks to his omnipresence.

Do you feel lost? Make some noise, he is looking for you and has found you. May you feel his hand on your shoulder today. Love you