Tuesday January 23, 2024

Mark 3:31-35

The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him.

This is probably one of the most difficult passages of scripture to read. If you would for a moment, remove the “holiness” from it and just read it as a story. His mother and brothers came to get him. They got word that he had gone mad. They were going to bring him home, to love him, to understand him. See when the people from the village arrive, we know it is serious. Those of us from the first cultures understand this in a very different way. They come with intent, they come with pain but you are their pain and they would rather have you home.

So I understand the emotional turmoil that Jesus faces. I understand his embarrassment. Lord your mama here!!! He would have buried his head in his palms with embarrassment. However bad things get for me, don’t call mama.

You know, being misunderstood is a painful thing indeed. People think they know how it feels but unless you have been on that island, all alone and everyone pointing fingers at you, you really don’t know. Imagine being at boarding school and having the other boys laugh at you coz you have jacked up teeth or you are overweight or you don’t fit in. You get it right?

This happened to Jesus!!! Even his mother did not fully understand. It took a lot of explaining (and men we are terrible at this), a lot of listening and a lot of prayer. Here is the deal… know your truth but also know it takes time for others to see your truth.

The other complication with this reading is the brothers of Jesus. You know St. James the apostle who succeeded Jesus and became bishop of Jerusalem was described in early writings as “James the brother of Jesus who was called Messiah.” I don’t want to cause trouble with the immaculate conception but this was not an issue for the early church. But for now we can say the Bible meant to say “His mother and his cousins…”

Monday January 22, 2024

Mark 3:22-30

The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him.

Today’s passage reminds us yet not to waste our time trying to get approval from people who have already made up their minds about us. Trust me some people are stuck in high school and will always want to bring your spirit down. Jesus does an amazing thing by casting out demons and they accuse him of using the power of Beelzebul, the prince of darkness. Of course it hurts his feelings and tries to explain himself. But if it is not this insult it will be another.

You know they are people who will never be happy for you no matter what? Do not give those people an opportunity to hurt you. That is, minimal contact brother, limited information. I am learning that as a police officer. Jokers will stab you in the back every opportunity they get. Anyway our Lord just moves on, he keeps moving on. Do that today, don’t dwell on it, do good and keeps moving sista.

Friday January 19, 2024

Mark 3:13-19

In the gospel passage today our Lord has his team, he chooses his 12 disciples and with these the kingdom of God will break open. I often wonder about the 12. I think of their journey at the beginning. Their hopes and desires, dreams and aspirations. Think back to your first day at secondary school as you stood at assembly. Think of the little groups that formed, who reached out to you first and maybe people you wish you were a little more careful around. Had you known then what you know now how would life have been?

Did Jesus know everything about the twelve? Did he know every turn of this journey? Absolutely not. But this is who God gave him. Be there in the room with the chosen ones. Quieten that voice that tells you that you do not fit in? That voice that tells you that you are not the right height or have the right education. In fact stop looking at all the reasons you should not be in that room of the chosen. And don’t compare yourself.

The twelve apostles were as ordinary as we are. Maybe we are a wee bit sophisticated and understand the world a little better. But the first order of business as a disciple is simply to be present and willing, to see ourselves as having something in our experience that God can use to change our worlds. My first order….. make sure mama has enough food in Africa.

Thursday January 18, 2024

Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed.

The power of Jesus is on full display here. Everyone wants a selfie with him and he gets in a boat to get away from the paparazzi. I once had a woman in Lebanon Ky who asked to meet with me for something she was struggling with. I never expected this one. She said, father I love our Lord but I have a problem with that Mary Magdalene, if that woman ( she used another term) thinks she is going to have Jesus all to herself she ain’t met nobody from Lebanon yet. I was so confused. Slowly I realized that women love differently and this is actually a thing. I don’t really remember what I said to her but I remember asking Fr Jerry about it and he simply said “now I have heard it all Chibundi.”

Anyway I get distracted easily. They all wanted Jesus for different reasons. There is so much hurt out there, so many unanswered questions. I pray today that you know where to go for your complex questions. They came to him because they found in our messiah a God willing to listen. Practice listening today. Listen to yourself, your neighbor and your God.

And if you end up at Rabbouni with your questions I promise that together we will figure out an answer. There is nothing you are going through that someone in this church has not dealt with. We love you!!!

Wednesday January 17, 2024

Mark 3:1-6

Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.

Today we hear my favorite lines of all times from the letter to the Hebrews “You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever”. Once God ordains, God sustains and I get great comfort in that. They have tried to scratch that line from the Bible… trust me.

In today’s gospel passage we find a man with a weathered hand. So much could be done but they cannot lift a finger because it is on the sabbath. Listen if your religion makes you unkind, inhuman error on the side of kindness. I remember years ago when priests of the archdiocese were kinda asked not to associate with me and one Fr Pablo showed up at my door and simply asked “how are you doing Chibundi?” We should all read the this certain book called, How to become a bad Christian and a good being. It is a fascinating read.

Sometimes Jesus was a bad Jew but golly he was a good person. Remember that day he touched a leper, or a corpse?

Tuesday January 16 2024

Mark 2:23-28

A very happy Tuesday to you and I certainly hope you remembered St Martin Luther King Jr yesterday. Yes he will never be a saint, it costs too much but in my eyes this martyr is with God sitting next to St Mandela. Their contributions to and for people of color will not go unnoticed.

In today’s gospel passage the Pharisees again have a problem with the disciples of Jesus. Yesterday the issue was that these men of Jesus had too much of a good time. They ate and drunk while the disciples of John fasted. Today it is something else, they are picking corn as they walk along and that is an issue.

Sometimes when people are picking stupid fights with you, it never really about what they are complaining about. It’s about who you walk with…Jesus. You are just the east target. Remember we fight not flesh and blood but principalities of darkness. Let your good works do the fighting, let them talk. They really want to get to the one you walk with.

Monday, January 15, 2024

Mark 2:18-21

One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’

These guys were not just fasting. They made sure that everyone saw it and felt it. Before long this beautiful practice of fasting was being used as a tool to hit people with. And the reason for fasting was lost. The intention of it has always been connected to feasting. Whenever you fast, ask who will feast. When we fast, we take the money and the food we saved and give to the church or less fortunate. But if no one is benefiting from your fast and you become meaner than a King Cobra, please eat.

If you go to church and others feel your wrath, stop churching. It is not helping you or those around you. Our passage invites us to reflect on what and why we do the things we do. Love you.

Friday January 12, 2024

Mark 2:1-12

I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’

My focus on this popular reading is what this paralyzed man did with the mat. We read, “He picked up the mat and walked away.” Did he burn it? Frame it? Hold on to it? We don’t know. How about you, what did you do with the mat?

The darn mat could be anything that kept you from thriving before you met the Lord. It prevented you from going out with friends. It reminded you that you are not like others. Then Jesus came along, loved you and said, pick up your mat and go. Why pick it up? Why not just heal this man? Well maybe that mat is the greatest teacher. Lying on that mat, the man saw people’s true colors.

Listen very carefully, some of your experiences are ones that you would not wish on your enemy. But they were your teachers. So I hope you remember from time to time how it used to be and I hope you never allow yourself to fall back on that mat. Been there, done that and ain’t going back. Thank you Merica.

Thursday January 11, 2024

Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’

How does that scene play out in your mind? Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him with his pointing finger, maybe pinky… I see Our Lord looking at a man who has been ostracized from family and friends. A man who has been unable to go home for years and watches his loved ones from a distance. This man does not need a stretched hand. I see our Lord walking towards him and embracing him. Not the awkward head church hug but heart to heart. Letting the man breakdown in the embrace. I want only one thing, I want you to go home, to be complete, to accept yourself.

If you want Lord, you can make us whole. He answers “I died for that very reason and rose from the dead to make you whole.” This is your meditation today. Jesus is dying to be the missing piece, element, being in your life.

BTW consider giving to Rabbouni. We have to make an ask every Thursday. I am not a fun of the ask but we kinda need the help. Love you!!

Wednesday January 10, 2024

Mark 1:29-39

Remember that resolution thing we some 10 days ago at the beginning of the year? Well I told Grayson that my new year resolution was to make a resolution every day. Well I have broken it 10 times. But I have to say I have a good excuse. Christmas and New Year were a disaster for my family. I had a brother in Intensive Care Unit.

In today’s gospel Jesus goes to visit the house of Simon Pater and something extraordinary happens. They tell him about Simon’s mother in law. Yes that’s the stunning thing, they tell him. The scriptures say “Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway.” They don’t wait until after dinner, they don’t keep it their little secret, they don’t say they will do it their way. No!!! Lord here is the real situation in this house.

Give that a try. As soon as you receive communion or go in prayer say it. As a church let’s say the issue straightaway. Lord we is struggling out here to make ends meet. Lord I am tired or Lord I really want to spend my life with someone. Say it. No door should be kept closed to our God, he can take the smell, the fever.

So back to that resolution thing. I resolute to be better at letting Christ in all areas of my life and keeping it real. That might mean my friend that you find yourself a trusted friend, a diary or an exercise where you can scream it. One of my friends exhausted from one terrible thing to the other said “Universe can I please just get a freaking break.” I cried with her. Hey you.. Jesus has the answer, Jesus is the answer.

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.