Friday December 5, 2025

Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’

Our Lord had many doubters but he also had unexpected people who had faith in whom he was. Let us take a look at your life. Do you have people who surprised you with this kind of faith in you? People who believed in you. I mean in small matters of course. Someone who saw that you had it in you do finish your education. Someone who saw great potential in you and called you to become the person you are today. Maybe someone who believed in you when you doubted yourself.

They called him Son of David maybe at a time when he himself was trying to figure things out. Yes I know this could be heresy that Jesus had to figure things out. I know someone will say he always knew. However being fully human also means it gave him a boost when these strangers walked up and followed him saying “there is more to you than what meets the eye.”

Today be like the two blind men and see something special in your mom, in your brother, in your sister and NAME IT!!! It may do them some good to hear it from you.

Thursday December 4, 2025

Matthew 7:21-24,27

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.

I recommend that you read the letter of St James at least every quarter. He picks up a lot of this theme in his epistle. Why James? Well he was the Bishop of Jerusalem which was the Mother Church until the Emperor massacred them. But St James is also described as “James the Just” or “James the Brother of Jesus who was called the Christ.” This is significant and sometimes a headache for us Catholics. Did our Lord have a brother? Maybe a half brother or a cousin. The point is Jesus and James grew up in the same house most probably. They were taught by Our Mother of Good Counsel, Mary, to look beyond outward performances. Saying Lord, Lord, or being a church goer is important but it is only the beginning. We need a relationship with The Father. A relationship frees us to do what we must and not get caught up in the legalities. St James says if someone comes to you hungry and you offer them a prayer, that is not enough. Feed them first, then pray with them, yes even on a sabbath.

Remember the acts of mercy? Let’s go back to that teaching. Today we are invited to follow through with our spirituality by actually doing good.

Love you the most!!

Monday December 1, 2025

Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.’

I love this beautiful passage from Matthew. This centurion recognized the authority that Our Lord had and he was asking for Jesus to simply say a prayer from a distance. He said “Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured”.

The Lord did not say a prayer from a distance, he went to the house. Can we pause here for a second. This centurion is very impressive indeed, yes because of his faith but yes also for his care. Servants or slaves were treated without honor and respect and here we find a centurion who loves the slave like his own child. He truly cares for those entrusted to them. This is a good caring boss man. This is an invitation to the whole church and world to care for those whom the cards of life has led them to be mere servants. Folks this advent season is a great time to get off our high horse and be like the centurion on a human level. Do it today, see the humanity in the man who stands by the roadside begging. Do something special for that person, it will change you. I actually recently saw a video of a man who goes around and takes in stray dogs. He is a saint to me and reminded me of this quote “Be kind to every kind not just the human kind.”

Wednesday November 26, 2025

Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness.

These are hard passages to read and the history that followed the disciples is even tougher to stomach. They were hunted down and faced violent deaths, some crucified, some beheaded others fled to unknown worlds. But they did it. They bore witness to the presence and goodness of God.

I want to bring us back to this old practice of our faith. Bearing witness. The holidays can be tough on people for a number of reasons. There are some who have buried loved ones and this time of the year their hearts are ripped with that loss. How can you be a witness of the presence of God and the healing of God to them? There are families struggling to stay together. So much hurt and pain has happened. Can God count on you to offer a way of healing for them? How about the family that has struggled to conceive? Can we see their pain and bear witness there.

I have to say though that I am impressed at how we bear witness to the kindness of God during this time. America is a very giving country. We see this in the smallest of corners. This past weekend the youth at Rabbouni had a bake sell and they raised over $1000.00 which will all go to buy supplies for the food pantry at the Link. You helped our youth bear witness to the many families that use the food kitchen/pantry.

Happy thanksgiving my friends.

Tuesday November 25, 2025

Luke 21:5-11

When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’

In this beautiful month of November, the church focuses our attention on the end times. Our family’s volleyball calendar did not allow me to preach about this theme but here is my opportunity.

How many times has the world ended for you? I mean the world as you knew it. The world as I knew it ended for the first time for me when dad died. Everything, absolutely everything changed. He was the breadwinner, the mighty protector of our family with very strict rules. Then at a tender age of 47 he died. Then the struggle began. At a time when teenagers needed that strong guidance, he was dead, the world as I knew it ended.

The second time the world as I knew it ended was when I left the passionist monastery where I had been for seven years. I went there right after high school. All I wanted was to be a Passionist. All I knew was to be Brother Robert Chibundi CP. One day some superior kicked me out with nothing but my suitcase. Removed from the strong protection of the congregation, I faced the ‘real world’ and wondered like Mary in the Sound of Music “what are we going to do now?” I could not go back home and tell mama that things did not work out!! I got on a plane and left Africa for the USA. I was not going back home. The world as I knew it changed. Not one stone was left standing on another.

I could go on and on but enough of me. How about you? How many times have things that you thought where real and unshakable come tumbling down and you had to begin again. You had to build again.

Through it all, what has sustained us is the belief that God is not done. God always opens a window and there is an even more beautiful life when one ends. Hang in there, God will see you through as he has for me and many others.

Friday November 21, 2025

Luke 19:45-48

Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling. ‘According to scripture,’ he said ‘my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’

We preached on this passage not a few Sundays ago and so I will be brief here. Most of us think that the temple was like our churches. You would walk in as we do every Sunday and instead of finding people in prayer, our Lord found traders. That would not be accurate.

The temple occupied a huge space that was divided into different areas. The outermost part was the court of the gentiles, then came the court of women, then the court of the Pharisees and scribes and then the Holy of Holies, that is the sanctuary where only the high priest would enter. This event happens in the court of the gentiles.

Now there had always been traders at the temple. They offered a valuable service for the many who came to worship. These traders would be outside the walls that is outside the court of the gentiles. But slowly they crept into the court of the gentiles and crowded the poor gentiles out. This is what infuriated Our Lord. Now the gentles have no worship space.

What is the take away for you? What has slowly taken over sacred space in your life? These are things that are important and sometimes needed but if not kept in their place, if not checked, they take over. Clean it up my friend.

I used to have sacred hour when I was in seminary. I don’t know where that went. I used to pray the rosary now I don’t have time for it. I am too busy?? Really!!!! How about Family time, that goes away too.

You get it!!! Things always creep in that change what was once important, what was once sacred. Start fresh this advent season…. Or restore the holy space today.

Thursday November 20, 2025

Luke 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace!

You know, I often look at my life and sigh with gratitude at how blessed I have been. Indeed God has been incredibly kind and generous to me. I have to say though that there have been moments, even periods when I did not see these blessings. I don’t think I appreciated as much as I should that I was born in a land where wild animals still roamed about. Yes we saw tourists visit Livingston, Zambia and take pictures of the giraffes. At that time we thought it was a waste of film. They took pictures of a big hole in the river called the Victoria Falls and we thought they were strange people. Those tourists saw the beauty of Africa that we the natives were blind to.

Even today I sometimes do not see the beauty of Kentucky. People travel to this beautiful part of America to see our horses and enjoy the change of seasons.

I feel called to be awakened to the presence of God wherever we are. Yes sometimes it is hard to behold the beauty, the peace, the presence of the divine. But maybe we can make it a conscious decision to see the beauty of our times. We are surrounded with so much chaos and it is getting louder by the day. Maybe seeing peace and experiencing it will have to be a conscious decision. Today, give thanks for your family!!!

Monday November 17, 2025

As Jesus drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging. When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about, and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by.

Many years ago while I was living in Kitwe, Zambia I heard that an American priest was visiting. In fact this American priest was going to have a retreat at a Franciscan house in one of the townships. You could take two bus trips to get there or take the four or five hour journey on foot. A group of us boys set out walking to go see Fr. John Judie. He is a remarkable priest and he have us the best retreat ever. I still remember his holly some 35 years later. It was about little Mr Zacheaus who was up the tree and out on a limb.

We heard of a man of God and we saw it as our opportunity to meet our God present in this priest. The blind man hears about Our Lord and sees it as his moment of grace. I want you to make going to church personal. God is visiting your neighborhood, this is your opportunity to pour out your heart to him. Whatever church you go to, whatever inspirational song you listen to, see it as your moment of grace. Fr. John Judie changed my life, Fr. Ron Knott opened my eyes to the beauty of the word of God, Fr Brendon Moss taught me how to connect with people at mass, Fr. Pablo Hernandez taught me that God can be a friend.

This blind man would not let this moment pass by neither should you!!

Wednesday November 12, 2025

Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him.

They should not have done that!!! They knew the laws and they disregarded them. I wonder why they did it though. What led these ten lepers to say “enough with rules that keep us away. We are going to meet the Lord.”

There comes a point in life when the pain of separation or suffering becomes too much that we take our chances and go into the forbidden places. I pray you never know such suffering. But I also want you to know that you can sum up the courage and approach the altar of God with whatever troubles your heart. He will stop and listen. I was talking to a mother yesterday who has been banging the doors of heaven for her precious son who won’t stop drinking. She is embarrassed that she feels like she has to come to the Lord in the dark or alone. I say there is nothing to be ashamed of, find company and come to the Lord.

These lepers must also have heard that he does not turn anyone away. So they acted on this good news and approached. If you are in the Louisville area, Fr Steven has a healing Mass tomorrow at Rabbouni at 7pm. Come get your blessing, you will not be alone.

Tuesday November 11, 2025

Luke 17:7-10

So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’

Our Lord directs this instruction to his disciples to remind them of who they are at the very core. They are servants. I don’t know if you ever grew up with servants in your home. This is indeed a very rare reality here in America but in other places where I have lived, yes yes we had servants. You really do not want to end up as a servant. It is not something to be proud of or write home about.

Yet Our Lord wants his closest friends to be servants. Not to do servant work here and there but to actually embrace the essence of serving.

The first servant I had has remained a servant to this day. Her whole life is about making my life better. Mama is the servant who has taken no rest. If you think about the work our parents have poured into our lives and often times have received so little from us. They serve out of love, they serve because frankly they know no other way of being. What do most parents if not all parents want? That there children be healthy, happy and prosperous.

This is the attitude Our Lord wants from his disciples. But alas he felt they had become entitled to power and money. Thank goodness this cancer is no longer in the church!!

Friday November 7, 2025

Luke 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”

This is a very interesting parable that Our Lord tells today. In it he seems to be praising the dishonest Servant. I am sure there is much lost to culture and time with this story. However we can still draw a lesson or two.

You need to know what time it is and what season it is in your life and then act with urgency. I believe the dishonest servant is praised because he quickly understands what is about to happen. See when I was younger, I could afford to be foolish about my affairs. But when I look ahead now, there is so much to do in so little time. So today I feel called to hurry up, see the urgency of the times I live in and build those meaningful relationships. Life goes by super fast in the end. Use your remaining time wisely.

Thursday November 6, 2025

Luke 15:1-10

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

Sometimes we tend to read over these opening remarks of this beautiful passage. We want to get to the meat and potatoes of what he said and did. But slow down for one second, the writing above may not just be setting the scene of what Our Lord said to the Pharisees and Scribes. Remember what Fr Rickstatter said when I was in seminary “brothers there are no throw away lines in scripture, paper and ink were too expensive to have throw away lines.”

Maybe this is the goodness!! The good news is that finally Tax collectors and sinners were seeking him. These poor miserable souls had been written off. There was no place for them in the kingdom as preached by the Pharisees. This is why our Lord does not spend too much time in synagogues. He is outside the synagogues also seeking the lost sons and daughters of Abraham wherever they could be found. Have you noticed that whenever Our Lord is in the temple he is causing trouble? Anyway I digress … back to the message. Are you seeking the Lord? He is dying and rising to meet you wherever you are. Today make some time for him and say a prayer.

Tuesday November 4, 2025

Luke 14:15-24

Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full; because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet.”

This is the very last verse of this chosen passage that is read at daily mass today. The topic of discussion is who will be seated at the dinner table in the Kingdom of God. Those who were invited, the chosen ones, were too busy doing this and that. Then the master opened the doors of the kingdom to anyone willing to come. Our Lord says he wants the banquet hall filled.

Are you the kind of person who has a tendency to count yourself out? You think there are other people, other churches, other persons worthy of the calling? Well today you get a personal invitation to belong. Come as you are, come with your stretch marks, your imperfections, your beauty. This beautiful invitation goes to all of us. Now as you come and you are like me, I invite you for a brief second to watch the faces of the “cool kids.” They are not happy, they will talk and maybe try to make you uncomfortable. But you come to the Kingdom at the invitation of Our Lord and no one else. This is an invitation he died for so that you may have a place. Honor the invitation and come proudly. You belong here!!!

Wednesday October 29, 2025

Luke 13:20-30

Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

Growing up as a Catholic, I never really knew how to answer this question when the born again Christians asked it. With Bible in hand they would walk up to a rosary wearing Catholic and ask “Are you Saved? Did you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?” It was a tricky question to ask Catholics because that was not our lingo. We spoke sacraments.

So are you saved? How many will be saved? I did not think I had a chance of salvation. Not that I was a bad kid but the competition was tough. Heaven had only limited seats and I thought of all the saints who had died before me. What chance did I have with such limited seats in heaven. The Bible says in Revelation that only 144,000 will be saved (Rev 8:9-10). What chance did I have when I occasionally stole some scones from mama’s kitchen?

Our priest saw our distress and he came up with a solution. Wear a scapular. On the scapular was written “whoever dies wearing this scapular will not miss eternal life.” That was the ticket until mine broke and traumatized me again.

Yesterday I asked us to do our best. God knows that some of us have challenges that are embedded in our DNA. Just give it your hardest. Show some effort in giving grace to your annoying cousin or friend. I don’t worry if I am saved anymore. I worry about feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, giving clothes to the distressed. Hake even tithing to my church is part of my effort. I had to put that one in . Can someone bring me a scapular next time you are in Italy. The brown one please. Gotta wear that one for old times sake.

Tuesday October 28, 2025

Luke 6:12-19

Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them;

Have you ever had an overnight prayer? In my formative years I belonged to the charismatic renewal movement and we occasionally had overnight prayer meetings. The hot tea and bread at 03:00 am was always something to look forward to. It is funny now thinking back and remembering that hot tea was a highlight but we were young poor boys and it did not take much to brighten our days. When I was in seminary or formation we also had these overnight prayer meetings and we invited the community to join us. I remember coming out of these prayer sessions feeling renewed and focused. I knew that God would make a way where there seems to be no way.

Our Lord had a difficult and important decision to make. He spent a whole night in prayer because he wanted guidance in choosing the twelve disciples. Was life perfect after that night in prayer? Where the disciples God chosen and solid people?

After a whole night in prayer he still chose Judas who betrayed him, Peter who denied him and a whole bunch who run away. Only John the beloved stayed to the very end.

However we firmly believe that these twelve were God chosen and God strengthened. Somehow they continued his beautiful ministry fubbling through it all. I like to think that you too are blundering your way into heaven. Today I want you to take courage in your choices. God does sort things out. All God asks is that we do our best. Be best!!! Someone said that before and for the life of me I can’t remember who said it, Be Best. Anyway before you set out today, pray for guidance and trust that you are indeed being led by the Spirit.

Thursday October 23, 2025

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! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over.

The disciples were slow in getting started or getting some excitement about the gospel. One gets the impression that they showed up somewhat present. I have seen this kind of posture in other areas that I have worked. I am sure you have too. Someone showing up at work with no love for the job or someone being on a school project but not putting in the effort.

I remember being this kind of a guy when I was young. My novice master would wonder out loud why we were even in seminary or formation. We did the least!!!

Tell me this, what are you passionate about? What lights a fire under your feet? Is it singing? Is it feeding the hungry? Is it preaching? Today I want you to spend some time loving your call. I mean deliberately loving your calling. Write down why you love being a mom, uncle, friend. Above all, what lights your fire about the gospel that is Jesus Christ?

Fr Terry a wonder Irish passionist priest used to say to us “when the church is on fire, the visitors feel the heat.” Can people tell that you love the Lord or follow the Lord?

Think about it and pray about it!

Monday October 20, 2025

Luke 12-13-21

A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’

What enriches your life? What makes us content? Yesterday I was a wee bit early for Mass in Lebanon and I found two homeless people at the door of the church. They were asleep with everything that they have. With them was a very happy dog. They were respectful and although it was raining they paced their items and moved on so we could have Mass. I am thinking about them this morning and hoping that things change and they find a house. But this got me thinking of what I truly have. What truly enriches me is my family and the network of friends we have built here. Today Our Lord invites us to make sure we spend time nourishing what really matters in life. It is not about possessions, it is about a rich relationship with our family and Mother Nature.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Luke 11:42-46

The Lord said to the Pharisees: ‘Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God!

Oh this should be an easy preach! There is an American or rather English saying that captures what our Lord says beautifully. Don’t be the guy that puts the cart before the horse. Spirituality and indeed life itself doesn’t work like that. The Pharisees were religious about that tithe but boy did it make them bitter.

I say that about myself. I have every intention to fast during lent but then I become short tempered and easily irritated when I am hungry. I honestly feel like God says to me “please eat something, we are all suffering because of your fast.”

Anyway Justice and Love of Yahweh should come first. The tithing should be a result of our prayer and our calling to help out the church. Where in your life do you have your priorities mixed up?

Tuesday October 14, 2025

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. Fools!

I am impressed at how available Our Lord was. It seems like he always made time to visit. Once I was complaining about how little time I have between the three jobs I had. A friend looked at me and lovingly said “You will make the time if it is important.” Yes the world has always been busy, but if something or someone is important enough, we will find time. This is just a little reminder to myself to prioritize some things.

Our Lord dined a lot. It seems like in the gospel of Luke, he is either traveling or eating. Today he takes the opportunity to ask the Pharisee and us to prioritize our spiritual life. He invites us to do some deep spiritual, heart work. Have you noticed that older and deeper love is sometimes quiet? Older people can sit in silence and connect on a deeper level. They through the many years together have aligned their souls. Our Lord may not have washed his hands correctly, but his heart was connected to God. Today I invite you to some deep spiritual work, I invite you to connect with SOURCE.

Friday October 10, 2025

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.

I know this is unrelated but I want to take a moment to hold dear to my heart all those who have had angel babies. As a man I feel ill equipped to talk about miscarriages or still borne. I feel double ill/ equipped because this is an experience we have never had as a couple. But it was during this month 13+ years ago when the doctor told us that the child we have now was going to be a miscarriage. There was a complication, the doctor said, and this miscarriage has began. We were devastated, helpless. I looked at Mary Ann and said, then we will pray through this. I summoned the prayer warriors at Rabbouni and we prayed this child to full term. Most of you remember our struggle, you remember praying us through pregnancy.

Since then I have come to know how difficult and lonely this experience can be. There is a grieving that women and men go through. Please say a prayer today for all those who have had this experience as part of their life journey.

This gospel passage we have today has been part of our lived experience. Tell me this: Have you ever found it difficult to accept the good that someone else has done because you don’t like their politics? Some people in Our Lord’s time could never ever give him credit. They would seize on something wrong he had done like helping someone on a Sabbath. Their hatred of him, his style, maybe his politics blinded them. I think the church should have some non-Catholics as saints. Imagine a St Nelson Mandela, a St Martin Luther King Jr or a St. Billy Gram.

Be open to God’s action today coming to you from places you would not expect.