Monday March 25, 2024

John 12:1-11

What a gift it is to have a friend, to have somewhere you can go and just rest, talk, visit. No expectations at all in this place. Good friends are such a blessing because with them we can simply be. I have often spoke of Mary Ann and her friend Cheryl. They have known each other since second grade. Whenever we go on vacation with her, those two can sit in silence or talk all day. I just don’t get how you have something to say to anyone after three hours. So to all those who have kept friendships, to all those who have taken the journey to go raise their friend who was dead (buried in grief or pain of divorce or whatever), to all those with a childhood friend, you guys are saints.

Jesus had a friend like that. Lazarus was his name. Six days before Passover Jesus goes to visit with his buddy. I wonder what they talked about. Did Jesus say to Lazarus “these jokers don’t get it man, you would not believe the things I have to explain!” Did Lazarus say “Really you had to ride the donkey?” All I know is if you are buddies, you can relax. I have met a family like that, a place I can go and just be. I pray for your connections to be real and deep.

Monday February 26, 2024

Luke 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

A very happy Monday to you. In today’s gospel passage our Lord implores his friends, his disciples to be compassionate, not to judge and to give to others. You would think this is something that the disciples don’t need reminding of. But left to ourselves we tend to turn in on each other. Today again we are given gentle reminders that it is not about church going, it is about seeing yourself in the other. I like St Matthew’s translation of this event. He says “Be merciful as your father is merciful.” Cut the other some slack. Thank you for your mercy, your willingness to walk in the shoes of others. That preached volumes to me

Friday February 22, 2024

Matthew 7:7-12

I have been looking at this passage all day and for some reason I am stuck. It should be an easy preach: Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you will find. Why am I struggling with it. Mary Ann said to me earlier this morning to just give it time to breathe.

Do you ask easily? If I know anything about you is that it kills you to ask for anything. I bet you would rather not ask, not be a bother, not be seen as weak. So you deal with it in your own way. I know of someone who even finds it difficult to ask their own family. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard “father I cannot ask dad.”

Part of your spirituality is knowing that you need God. Knowing that you cannot do it all by yourself. The Israelite story is about their dependence on God. So what does Jesus mean with “ask and it shall be given to you.” Well, what is your biggest ask? A lady once said to me “father just one minute of peace would be nice.”

I pray today that you take your time and find that one ask. God is already delivering it.

Talking about asking. Be careful not to put your business on the streets though. Choose carefully whom you share your deepest heart desires, because some people cannot wait to use that against you.

It is all part of the growing into you process.

Wednesday February 21, 2024

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. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’

You will love this. You know how you were told that God is holy and that meant absolutely strict. That either you are hot or cold, that it is either black or white!!! Where did all this come from? Take the case of the Ninevites who we find in the first reading and the Gospel. God is ready to destroy them, he is done but just to be fair he gives them one last time to fix it. Jonah goes over there hoping they remain stubborn in their ways but shocker. This time they actually listen and convert. Then God converts too. God changed his mind.

I think that is incredible power. You and I by our actions can change the mind of God and bring blessings. Listen, whatever is broken FIX IT! You might just save your life.

Tuesday February 20, 2024

Isaiah 55:10-11

Thus says the Lord: ‘As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.’

In this most beautiful passage of Isaiah the Lord God says about you “The word that goes out from my mouth does not return to me empty.” I never really realized the power of these words until I heard in a homily that: “we are God’s holy word breathed into existence at this point in time” Sit with that for a second, breathe it in and out. I am God’s word spoken in time. As you and I try to understand ourselves, as you and I question the events of our lives, let us always remember that we were spoken into existence, into this space at this time for a reason. Next time you go to a funeral think about this. What was God saying to me through the deceased.

None of us goes back, none of us returns until we have hugged every person God wanted us to hug. Frankly I thought I had to be doing something, some ministry. Come to find out it is enough to just be. God is speaking away, working away by your very presence.

And here is the other good news! Jesus the word of God has done his work on your life. You are a very changed person because of our Lord.

Love you!

Monday February 19, 2024

Mark 9:14-24

I am sure by now you have seen the famous or one of the famous “you had one job” meme. It usually involves a huge and consequential step that someone had to do and they totally jack it up. While Jesus is up the mountain he instructs his disciples to pray and take care of the people. They failed!!! He descends the mountain and has to calm the fires himself. You can tell how frustrated he is. Anyway his disciples earnestly ask why they would not drive the demon out. His answer is very telling. This kind, he says, can only be driven out by prayer and fasting

What the heck were the disciples doing then? Too busy telling people of the qualifications of being in the presence of Jesus? Maybe too busy coming up with laws on excommunications? Maybe too busy counting the money? Heck we don’t know what they were doing but we know they were not doing their one job——PRAYING. It is a reminder to us church professionals that unless we take time to pray with others all the other businesses just put a bandage on people’s issues. My prayer today is that you learn the prayer of intercession and walk a while with people in their struggles. Pray like your happiness depended on it.

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Lk 5:27-32

“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

Jesus always reached out to the marginalized and despised. Now, as his followers, it is up to us to do the same. In our acts of service and charity, do we do what is convenient and easy or do we go out of the way for the greatest need? If we follow Jesus, it will be the road less traveled. However, it will have the greatest reward. Our duty is to remove everything that lies in the way of that path, even if it is ourselves. This is not an easy task, and is one we have to work at each day. May God give us strength to do it! - Fr. Will

Friday, February 16, 2024

Mt 9:14-15

Lent gives us an opportunity to look at how we can make small changes in our life to grow spiritually. Maybe it is finding a new way to give up something harmful. Maybe it is increasing our fasting. Hopefully it is more prayer. The Reverend Fredrick Lewis Donaldson gave a new list of seven deadly sins, and one was religion without sacrifice. Each day we have the opportunity to find a little way to sacrifice--something that was holding us back from our better selves. What will you sacrifice this Lent? - Fr. Will

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Lk 9:22-25

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Each day we must make choices... to be disciples or not, to live as Christ or not. Sometimes things prevent us from making the right choices--relationships, habits, belongings, beliefs, or assumptions. But we have to rid ourselves of these distractions, however difficult, and focus on Christ. This is not a one and done thing because it takes each day to decide if we will live into our beliefs or not. May this Lenten time provide us with many chances to live into our beliefs and to make them more of our daily lives. - Fr. Will

Tuesday February 13, 2024

We are traveling on this Valentine’s Day to the commonwealth of Turks and Caicos. I know it is one of their perks of being me Anyway a very Happy Valentine’s Day to you all. My prayer is that you feel the love that comes your way from your special someone. I love that we can stop and celebrate each other. Love is a gift, a beautiful gift indeed.

In today’s Gospel passage the disciples and Jesus are traveling across the lake as they realize that they only brought one loaf of bread. I can imagine them blaming each other for dropping the ball here. Whose responsibility was it? This preaches in so many ways but on this Valentine’s Day, I want to bring our attention to taking care of the little things so the big things work. If you look back in your life isn’t it true that emptying the dishwasher, putting things on the grocery list, or packing sandwiches when going on a trip is just as important as the destination?

Happy Valentine’s Day and remember to join us this Sunday for our 14th anniversary. I love you.

Friday February 9, 2024

Mark 7:31-37

And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him.

He took him aside to be by themselves, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man's ears and touched his tongue with spittle.

A very happy Friday to you, I am so glad you are here. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus finds himself in the Decapolis region healing a deaf man. I don’t know why the writer tells us exactly where Jesus passed to be where he is but I am sure there is a point there. My reflection today is on the process our Lord used to heal the man. Couldn’t he just have raised his hand, said a prayer and blessings and finishing it off with the laying of hands. No! We get this round about way. He removes the man from the crowd, performs a ritual and then “Ephphatha” “be opened.”

As long as you are around some people it will be impossible to hear the word of God. Listen some people help you see and hear and others are loud mouths. If you hang around negative people your chances of hearing good news have dropped. The older I get the fewer people I spend time with. Well I should put it politely. Be around people who will help you hear and see the love around you.

God bless!!!

Thursday February 8, 2024

Mark 7:24-30

Do you know that I have been saying the same prayer every time I go for a run these past 15 years? You must have seen me running in the cold or in the heat off Westport road. I am sure God sees me coming and he knows what I am about to say. I make my sign of the cross and say “plizi Mulungu, tu tandizeni na ndalama zo mangila church.” Please God help us with money to build a church” and off I go running. There are moments or Sundays I feel we are receiving the opposite of a blessing but then I have little glimpses here and there that this impossible prayer will be answered. Yes it is a mighty big prayer but unless we pray it, unless we ask we really don’t know. What I know is that out of nothing Yahweh has given and sustained our community and and I feel his presence even when the numbers are down and we have a deficit budget I just keep praying for our beautiful Rabbouni.

The story of the Syrophoenician woman, this pagan lady who got a rare audience with Jesus speaks to me about persistence. Our Lord refused to help her. In my opinion he was even rude. He says “it is not good to give the food of the children to dogs.” No sir, but even the dogs eat scrapes that fall from the table. He was rude, she knew her place and interceded for her daughter. Then his heart of hearts grew softer and healed her baby. Persistence, patience and humility got her that blessing.

You may not need to be humiliated like that in your prayer. But you may have to say that prayer over several years. You may have to ask others to pray for you. I remember praying for and through a difficult high risk pregnancy. Lord that was scary. It was touch and go from week five to full term.

Anyway it is never too easy. Remember that.

On another note join us and come see the answers to our prayer on February 11, 2024 at the 12:30 mass. We will be celebrating our 15th anniversary followed by a meal. We make some good greens. I sure hope to see you.

Wednesday February 7, 2024

Genesis 2:4-9,15-17

II love the stories of creation and in particular the creation of the human species. Scripture says “And out of nothing (the dust of the earth), God created Man and Woman.” I like to remind myself of this beautiful truth whenever my head gets too big and whenever my troubles get too big.

Point number one: without Grace you my friend we are nothing. Everything that you are today it is because Yahweh has willed it for you. So tonight be thankful and reflect on the abundant blessings in your life. There are many who know only a fraction of your life and wish they were as blessed.

Secondly, your challenges are not too big. I know, when you look at the bills and maybe the loneliness they may be overwhelming. But I invite you to lift up your eyes to the God who created you out of nothing. Yahweh did not create you for failure. Yahweh has plans and he will bring you through.

On another note I was talking to Fr. Will Myers one day when he remarked that there are 7 billion people in the world, not talking to 1 of them won’t end the world. So if there is someone who is trying to disrupt your peace, gently ignore them and go on from nothing into something, into someone.

Tuesday February 6, 2024

Mark 7:1-13

Some Pharisees and Sadducees are upset with Jesus because they saw his disciples eating their food without properly washing their hands. Maybe the disciples had worked all day feeding the hungry and walking with those who need aid. Who knows how exhausted they were? Maybe this was their first meal in days. So they tore into the food without doing the customary 7 washes. For Jesus, the proper washing of hands is important because he is a good Jew but he can also cut some slack for his disciples. There are other more important things that he would lose sleep over.

Here is the lesson for me. Know your scripture? Know what is important to God and do it. If someone else wants to add extras, more power to them. The problem with religious fanatics is everything goes from zero to a hundred. Everything!! Religion which is supposed to be life giving all of a sudden becomes a burden. When that happens, we have missed the whole point. So,know what is at the heart of our faith and do that passionately. I Once said to a woman who was apologizing for missing Mass because she went to visit her dying mother. I said, He saw you and was with you beside that hosparus bed. Being with her mother on this particular day was more important than the Sunday obligation.

Monday February 5, 2024

Mark 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea,

Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret

and tied up there.

As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.

They scurried about the surrounding country

and began to bring in the sick on mats

to wherever they heard he was.

Each of the gospel writers have their own different style and particularly a way of letting the reader know that something important is about to happen in the narrative. For example St Matthew always seems to put Jesus on a hill or mountain whenever an important teaching is about to happen. St Mark does something else. Whenever he wants you to pay attention, he puts Jesus in a boat.

So today Jesus disembarks and power is coming out of him. All who touch him are cured. How about we think ourselves as vessels, boats from which the Lord disembarks bringing understanding to the misunderstood? The Jesus whom we receive at communion and whenever we invite him going into places that are full of evil spirits and letting the people touch his clothings. Be the bringer of joy today and remember it’s not about you but he who lives in you. My favorite meditation song is “It is in him we live, it is in him we have our being, we might as well not move at all. Unless we move in.” Sing along and become the mercy of God.

Monday February 12 2024

Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."

Then he left them, got into the boat again,

and went off to the other shore.

The gospel passage today is hilarious if you can bring yourself to laugh at Jesus frustration. The Pharisees come over and ask him for a sign, he (to put it more churchy) “And with a sigh that came straight from the heart .. “ he said ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! He got up and walked away.

Thank you Lord. You gotta know folks that for some people it will never be enough. They will take and take. Jesus identifies such people and does not waste his time at all. He leaves!!!

Don’t bend over backwards trying to explain yourself to some people. Yes explain to those who matter but after the 100 time just walk away. They will get it some day. Walk away, shake you head, lift your hands and say Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Friday February 2, 2024

The presentation of the Lord

Luke2:22-40

“And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord”

I have two thoughts stemming from this beautiful reading. First our parents were chosen for us for a reason. I hope you have found out why the Author of Life, the Alpha and Omega in his wisdom chose to birth you there. I am still figuring it out because I think he could have chosen this beautiful couple in Botswana who had everything. No no it had to be in the Lenge tribe of Zambia at a time when the new wealth was not discovered. But seriously pause for a second. You are not just happenstance, you are carefully put on this earth. Coming with a lesson or a mission to teach your parents or to learn from your parents and enrich all the beings you meet, not just the human beings.

God chose Joseph and Mary and their parents and friends to raise up Jesus who is the Christ, James the Just. They were chosen to raise Joset, Jude and Simon his brothers. So your family is the biggest gift you have. That could be the reason you fight, they are un afraid to call you out.

Secondly when you are filled with the Holy Spirit you see and hear what others miss. Filled with the Holy Spirit those around baby Jesus heard the cry of God. It was like any other cry but for those of God it was different. Prayer sharpens your 6th sense, your intuition. There are people at work I avoid. For no reason we just don’t jive. Over the years I have learned to trust my intuition and excuse myself. Fill your soul with the Holy Spirit, you will be so alert.

Tuesday January 30, 2024

Mark 5:21-45

She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’

If I can only touch the helm of his garment, I will be well. When you are going to communion, what prayer do you say? I think of this brave woman who had to fight the crowds because she was sick of being sick. I think of this woman who had to toss all that her society told her about her condition. She was told she could not be among others because she would make them unclean. She was told to go away but no she said, no. If I can only touch the helm of his garment, I will have my answer.

With intention, persistence and faith she reached out. I want you to reach out as well and believe in the God of providence. Doing life is not easy. Heck I have reached out and still have to do two and half jobs to make ends meet. I am grateful for the energy and family he has given me and still I pray, may your healing and strength flow through me O Lord. Today I pray for all those who struggle alone in silence. I pray for those who quietly harbor a sadness in their soul. May you find your healing as you stand in prayer, as you receive communion.

Fr Chibundi

Monday January 29, 2024

Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him.

Into the land of Gerasane Jesus walks, looking and searching. I don’t know how many people told him to back away for in that place lives a man possessed to the core with legions of demons. This man with multiple personalities, multiple disorders has been living among the dead. But the love of the son of man draws him into this space where no one has ever walked. He comes because this one too is a child of God, he comes because his promise to humanity is never to give up on you. He comes to smash the boxes, the prisons that have been built around the possessed man.

In the work of policing we have dealt with people who are a danger to themselves and others because of some imbalances within. I have seen police officers talk someone who is hearing voices from jumping off the bridge. I have seen their patience and their love breakdown, drive out demons and then you see a child of God beaten down by love.

I invite you today to pray for the gift of patience and understanding as you deal with a difficult person. Some people scream and howl because that is the only way they know to talk. Find a way to reach them. And may someone find a way to reach you too. Who among us does not fight demons within.

Fr Chibundi

Wednesday January 24, 2024

The conversion of St Paul

The story of St. Paul makes for a fascinating read and reflection. Here is a man who hunted down Christians at one point and ends up being hunted down himself. My first response to his conversion is why did he bother so much? He certainly had people who supported him but the Jerusalem Church and early Jewish followers of the way gave Paul a hard time. He tried over and over again to gain their trust but to no avail. Lesson number one: Find your own tribe. Listen you can’t keep hitting your face in the wall. When you have tried over and over again to explain or express your interest in someone and they keep rejecting you, you need to stop. There are other people around the corner who will gladly accept you. Remember Jesus said “Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself?” Well how much do you love yourself? The Jerusalem church would not accept him so he went to the gentiles and found a whole, new, beautiful tribe. Come to us, we will love you for who you are.

Lesson number two: You are not always what you used to be. Recognize the people who want to hold you hostage to what you used to be and ditch them. Life is a continuous process of growth and change. I am embarrassed by some of my earlier homilies. I was clueless about real life. I was in seminary at 13 and my life was very different than that of someone on chicken gizzard road in Clementsville Ky. People change, let them grow.

Lesson number three: Well I think two lessons are enough for now.