Monday September 8, 2025

Matthew 1:1-16

The birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary!

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.

Today we celebrate the assigned birthday of the blessed Virgin Mary. She was indeed the first disciple of her son who learned how to properly support him in his ministry. One of the episodes that always stand out for me is when the crowds sent for her to come get her son because they (the crowd) thought he had gone mad. I cannot imagine her anguish as she went to get her boy. We want our children to be loved and accepted. And as parents our hearts break when our beloved little ones who really at some level are always little ones, are not accepted.

Today let us pray for all mothers who pray for their children. We pray that no mother or father ever go through the deep trails which the blessed mother went through. And if you are that mother, join your prayers to St Monica who prayed for Augustine and the blessed mother who was there for her misunderstood son to the very end.

When I was in Rome, I stood before the Pieta Statue and I totally got “it.”

Wednesday September 3, 2025

Luke 4:38-44

Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.

How easy is it for you to ask for help? Most people I have met in this beautiful country really struggle with asking for help. Americans are can-do people. It is not the easiest thing for us to be vulnerable and ask.

Simon Peter might have been like us but he had to put his pride aside and open up his house and all that was going on to Our Lord. Then and only then did mama in-law get the help she needed. So what do you need? What is really going on in your life?

Yes talk to the Lord after communion and whenever you pray on how you are managing life. I also deeply encourage you to talk to a friend or a counselor. Listen, if you think a friend will judge you then find Christ in a counselor. We all need a listening ear. I am grateful for Mary Ann Schaffer Chibundi, she is a good listener.

The thing is, you can do it all by yourself but should you do so all the time? Carrying heavy burdens can kill you. Tell the Lord!!

Tuesday September 2, 2025

Luke 4:31-37

In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean devil, and it shouted at the top of its voice, ‘Ha! 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.’

Now that is the kind of preaching we want, the kind that drives out demons. On this occasion, Our Lord is in Capernaum and he is preaching with authority in the temple. I have always wondered what that meant. Does preaching with authority mean screaming? Does it mean slamming the pulpit? Maybe yes, maybe no but I think it simply means he was connected to the holy word of God. He probably lit up like someone in love when they talk about their love. He was genuine to the core.

Once I asked in church if anyone was possessed. Only one brave woman raised her hand. I was so grateful that she did because if we do not know our demons then we are lost indeed. Yes we should know the angel within but also in order for us to grow we always ought to be aware of our demons and then starve them. You know, I confess here and now that I have been troubled by the demon of self doubt my whole life. Today in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, I cast it out and will venture to do bold things. That feels good already.

What is being cast out of you so you can fully embrace the plan of God for your life?

Thursday August 28, 2025

Matthew 24:42-51

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house.

For some reason this past month has been filled with funerals. All of a sudden someone I know is in grief or struggling with something. Do you feel the same way?

Our Lotd invites us to always be ready for we do not know the hour when the angel of death or angel of life after the earth experience will visit us or our loved ones. How are you getting ready? I want to be ready by surrounding myself with people who bring value in my life. Yes everyone has value but this is not the season for goofing off. When I was younger I never thought of my days as numbered. Now it is a different story. So start or end your day by saying a prayer. I love to say the Lord’s Prayer. I have said the Our Father a gizzilion times especially now that I can pray it in Aramaic the language of Our Lord. And guess what? I feel I am a different man. I sense the presence of God and somewhat ready for whatever the day brings.

Our Father who is in the heavens (everywhere), may your Kingdom come, may your will be done everywhere as it is here. From the earth, give us today and tomorrow our sustenance. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen

Monday August 25, 2025

Matthew 23:13-22

Jesus said: ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who shut up the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces, neither going in yourselves nor allowing others to go in who want to.

Whenever I read these passages where Our Lord Jesus is giving it to the religious professionals, I find myself cheering him on. Yes they need to hear this. Then a little, small voice says to me from within. “You know, you ARE a religious professional.” Self reflection and correction is part of the discipline of Christianity. It is a very dangerous thing to read the scriptures so we can become experts at finding the sins of others.

So today I am called to find in my own way and maybe in your own way how we are a contradiction. We profess one thing and live out the other.

Our Lord is inviting us today to stay out of his way. The Pharisees and Scribes were protecting the kingdom from the sinners and tax collectors. It was their job to do so. But maybe it’s not their job to protect God. God can do it all after all it is in God’s nature to be All Powerful.

“Lord, show me when I am not being helpful and send your angels in my life to teach me how to get out of your Way. Amen.”

Wednesday August 20, 2025

Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard.

How is your workplace like? Do you have politics there? How much of your time do you spend there? Is everyone on the same page on what the task is?

When our Lord compared the Kingdom of Heaven like s vineyard and not a palace he entered into dangerous territory if I may say. Any workplace is complicated. There are politics that one has to learn, people who will stub you in the back but also we meet our best friends there. We meet people who change our lives for the better.

In this little example which our Lord shares we find the politics of payment. Those who went at first watch got paid the same amount as those who came in at the eleventh hour. We often emphasize this point when we preach how God will give eternal life to all.

But I think our Lord also is telling us that we can find God at work. We can find that the kingdom permeates everywhere even the workplace.

I have found the most Godly, holy people at work. Sometimes they will curse you out at the drop of a hat but they will also throw their bodies in front of you and protect you should you be attacked. As I continue to mourn a dear friend I met at work, I remember all the ways she announced the kingdom of heaven without mentioning God.

Tuesday August 19, 2025

Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you solemnly, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

This past Sunday started off great but by Sunday evening my little world was turning so fast and I am still spinning. I got word that a friend of mine passed away. Two weeks ago I was sitting by her bedside at the hospital holding her hand. This one hurts. Cancer sucks! Please make sure you do your yearly visits to your doctor.

Our Lord today talks about entering the kingdom of heaven and how hard it is for those who are attached to earthly things. The spiritual journey is truly about changing how we see things. I want us to look at everything as gift. I grew up poor and trust me I spend many nights at work so my son does not grow up wanting like we did. Am I rich? Absolutely I am. Do I love it? Absolutely I do? Do I want to be richer? Yes I would like for our Church to afford having our own building. I see everything I have and all we do as gift. And as gift, I know it can be taken away quickly.

So today I invite you to be rich in what matters to God. Be rich in mercy, be rich in compassion. What our Lord warns us of is attachment to things like power or material things. So work hard, live a good life and always remember that everything you have is gift.

Friday August 15, 2025

Feast of the Assumption!

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.

Today we celebrate the day Our Blessed Mother was taken into heaven body and soul. I love that we of the catholic tradition honor the work of the Mother of our Lord. We acknowledge that Our Lord did not fall from the sky, no he was raised in a house with His brothers and sisters who are named in the scriptures. Mary Ann and I are in the process of raising a son… lLord help us. I have to ask mama if I was as stubborn, as moody in my early teens as this fellow. It is tough to let go of the control as a parent as the child starts to assert their independence and take on a new personality. Thank goodness for for the “Let them theory.”

I want to bring your attention to what the blessed Mother said when she visited her cousin. “The Almighty has done great things for me and Holy is his name.” I have to highlight this beautiful line and when it was uttered. She was not out of the woods yet. She had just been sent to “the house of unwed mothers.” Yes the scriptures say she visited Elizabeth but we from the old country know she was sent away to some place she was not known. At a time she most needed mom and dad, here she was out there. And yet she speaks of the great things the almighty has done. At this point there are so many uncertain things. Can you find the great things the Lord has done for you when you were in darkness?

I can’t wait to hear your stories.

Thursday August 14, 2025

Matthew 18:21-19:1

Feast of St Maximilian Kolbe

Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.

I wonder who got on St Peter’s nerve that the wild fisherman was counting how many times he would have to put up with the nonsense before he popped someone. I mean life can be intense in a small group with clashing egos. When you think about it, it is indeed a big world but we are almost always in small groups. It could be family, work, church, social club, nursing home. The Zambians have a saying which might sound crude here so I will change it to “Trees in a forest cannot help but rub up on each other.” We all have to learn to live with each other and that means learn how to practice forgiveness. Someone will rub you the wrong way and frankly you might be the problem sometimes.

Someone much has been written on forgiveness because it is absolutely necessary for our growth. Nelson Madiba Mandela said it beautifully when he got out of jail where he was so unjustly sent “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other fellow die.” I say “Take back your power by forgiving him/her.” Young people will say “don’t let someone live rent free in your mind.” Today I want you to practice the art of letting go of the pain of betrayal and you will rediscover your joy.

God bless

Monday August 11, 2025

Matthew 17:22-27

One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.’ And a great sadness came over them.

I wonder who among the disciples or maybe it was Our Lord who “snapped” everyone out of this sad and difficult news. Someone must have said “But until then, there is a lot of life to be lived!” Bad or sad news tend to linger, the call for me here is to find the good news. How quickly can I pivot and refocus.

I remember when the doctor told me I had the cancer many years ago. I wanted to go into my room and cry. I was alone in a rectory in Clementsville Ky. But you know, the moment I shared the news with a parishioner, she started working the phone. She had a cousin who was a doctor and within days I had a follow up appointment. The parish got together and flew mama over to America. Yes things moved fast!

My point is, there is a lot of life to be lived. Do not die before you are dead! That makes no sense at all right? I mean you have a choice every day to pivot and find good reasons for joy, meaning, purpose. Our Lord never stopped, he kept on announcing the good news!

Wednesday August 6, 2025

Luke 9: 28-36

Feast of the Transfiguration

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning.

Remember my favorite saying? “There is no text without context.” So what is happening at this point in Our LordJesus life?

Well, things have changed and they will continue to take a bad turn for him. He had just broken some very bad news to his disciples. He will die in Jerusalem. This news hit the disciples hard. Who amongst does not struggle with death especially the death of a vibrant person. The disciples had not calculated or factored this in their decision to follow him. He had failed to mention this little detail at the very beginning.

So our Lord takes them up the mountain to show especially these three who are having the biggest trouble accepting this terrible news that God is still in control of events. Say that with me quietly “God is still in control of events in my life.”

If your life has ever been turned upside down, you know just how difficult it is to believe this. I cannot tell you how many times I have prayed for the earth to open up and swallow me. Many times I have not seen a path forward. I want you to breathe this mantra “God is in control.” One of my favorite people in the world often says “Everything happens for a reason, God has a plan.”

Things are about to get real, real quick for the disciples and they need this moment. What is your transfiguration moment. When did you know God is in control.

Friday August 1, 2025

Matthew 13:54-58

Coming to his home town, Jesus taught the people in their synagogue in such a way that they were astonished and said, ‘Where did the man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? This is the carpenter’s son, surely? Is not his mother the woman called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Jude? His sisters, too, are they not all here with us? So where did the man get it all?’ And they would not accept him.

This little passage has caused some headaches for some believers. What does it mean that he had brothers (named) and sisters. In fact one of his brothers, St James became the bishop of Jerusalem and he was called in extra biblical literature as James the Just or James the brother of Jesus who was called Messiah. You should read the Epistle of St James, it sounds like Jesus speaking. A very practical piece of scripture for the early Church.

Anyway something changed with Jesus, he grew into his ministry and what a broth it was. He learned to lean into the Spirit and Voice of God. You and I can do that too you know, we can learn to trust the Spirit. Today I want to pray for your spiritual growth and transformation. You can learn to trust the Voice of God within you. This growth is not linear though. Sometimes the growth shows and other times it does not. My growth has been keeping my homilies short. Trust me, they are short

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Matthew 13:47-53

FEAST OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use.

St. Ignatius founded the Society Of Jesus or better known as Jesuits. I am so grateful for this group of men who were so influential in my formation as a priest. They are great thinkers and boy or boy did they push the “think outside the box” philosophy. I had a Jesuit friend visit me recently and he remarked about some priests back home. He said “in working with these guys, I wonder sometimes if they are baptized?” We had a good laugh with that one.

Let’s talk Kingdom of God shall we! Like a drag net? I have been involved in dragging one of those nets ashore. It’s not sexy, not cute at all. The first thing that hits you is the smell, then the catch. Yes you get some good fish covered in mud and yuck but you throw so much back.

What does he mean? The kingdom of God drags in your whole life. Bring it all in and let God sort it out. We all have good and bad, bring your whole self to God because it is beautiful. Yes even our ugly sides when brought before God are transformed. A Jesuit priest once said to us on retreat “God loves you just as you are, don’t change just come!” I knew at that point I would not make it as a Jesuit

Pope Francis said “Who am I to Judge?” So bring everyone, everything ashore. God will sort it out.

Monday, 28 July 2025

Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus put a parable before the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest shrub of all and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and shelter in its branches.’

This parable is disturbing to the crowds for two reasons in my opinion. Our Lord likens the Kingdom of God to a mustard tree. It would have been more appropriate to liken it to a Lebanon Cedar. It is majestic, rare and very very useful. But a mustard tree in this place and culture is pervasive and almost annoying. Wherever you turn you see the yellow flowerings of it. You can’t get rid of this tree. Is our Lord saying the kingdom of God is that available? That wherever you turn there it is? Yes!!! That’s the shock of it! It is not a privilege of a few men, it is an offering of the many.

Secondly the reference to the birds of the air strikes me.There isn’t only one type of bird that sings the same song. No!!!! There is a diversity of them. So if you are different…. You are welcome here. All of us can render our voices in praising God.

Fr Chibundi

Wednesday July 23, 2025

Matthew 13:1-9

Jesus said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears.

I always thought this parable was about different people and how they receive the word of God. I so wanted to be the fertile soil which received the word of God and produced great fruit. But I realized something deeper as I age. These are the different stages of my life. As a youth nothing really took root. It did but life is also a great teacher. I had not experienced enough life for the word to completely take root.

So be patient and honest with yourself as you read this passage. I think we are all these different soils and we never really completely outgrow them. Hake even in my old age depending on other factors, other things going on in our lives we may not be in a place to listen. So be patient, this grace of God that has led you here will work with you so that the precious word of God takes root.

Tuesday July 22, 2025

John 20:1-2,11-18

THE FEAST OF ST MARY MAGDALNE

They have taken my Lord away’ she replied ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him. Jesus said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.’ Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’ – which means Master. Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them:

I have heard of an extra biblical account of the Story of Our Lord written by Mary of Magdala. I would love to read her gospel. She is certainly a very fascinating and champione of the Apostles. Once when I was in Lebanon a woman of the parish told me that she had a problem with Mary Magdalene. She said “if that woman thinks she will have Our Lord to herself, she is going to have problems with me in heaven.” It is then, as a young priest, that I knew women love differently.

When all others had given up or were afraid to come out of the locked house, Mary went searching for Her beloved Teacher! There was nothing in this world that would separate her from him, not even the Romans. Let us pray for this kind of love, this kind of dedication to ministry.

Fr. Chibundi

Friday July 18, 2025

Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus took a walk one sabbath day through the cornfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them.

Do you take daily walks or do some sort of exercise if you are not able to walk? Who knew that walks or runs or daily exercise could be and should be part of our spiritual experience. Our Lord must have been so dedicated to exercising that he forgot it was sabbath and still went out. Remember the Sabbath in this culture is a strict no work, no movement day. However what if for our Lord, daily exercise is also something that brought him close to God. He connected with his Father in Heaven when he was out there in the open space.

Move your beautiful body in prayer today. At one point I would not miss going to yoga or running. Actually I got this idea from my novice master Fr Julian Black. He would start our days with yoga, connecting body and spirit. Pope John Paul II often talked about the theology of the body.

Take a walk today and remember me when you pray.

Fr Chibundi

Thursday July 17, 2025

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. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

That last sentence is a terrible translation. What does it even mean? Sorry English speaking people, let me explain. It actually should read “Yes, my yoke fits perfectly and therefore makes the burden light.”

Have you ever put a yoke on an Ox? I have and let me tell you, you can actually kill an Ox if you put the wrong yoke. In the old country where we still make yokes from tree branches, the yoke maker takes the Ox into consideration when he is making one. There is no one size fits all kinda yoke. These things are tailor made to use an American expression.

So maybe Our Lord is saying St Peter’s needs and struggles are different from St You and Our God is big enough to take your individual story into account. Yes there are general rules but we also have to walk alongside people from where they are. Religion has hurt people albeit even killed some. But religion when carefully placed can and has done a ton of good.

I can’t wait to preach on this in depth someday.

Fr. Chibundi

Monday July 14, 2025

Matthew 10:34-11:1

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword.

Are you as confused as I am? Isn’t Our Lord the bringer of peace? The Author here must be referring to something that was going on in the early church. The gospel of Matthew was written around 90AD, the church was still a persecuted church and I think the author is inviting the congregation to continue taking the tough choice of being a follower of THE WAY.

How hard has it been for you to break away from someone who doesn’t share your values? Time and time again you are exhausted after dealing with them. They insult you and take advantage of your kindness. Do you know it is your Christian duty to put a sword to that toxic relationship and walk away? You will be better for it. Actually you will be better for it if you walk away without choice words

Remember that the word of God is a double edged sword. Yes sometimes this word calls us to make tough choices.

Wednesday July 9, 2025

Matthew 10:1-7

Do not turn your steps to pagan territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’

This is one of the institutions given by Jesus which you would think should have been edited by the gospel writer. By the year 90 AD when this passage was written, the Christian message had reached Pagan territory. Hake the first council of the church (Council of Jerusalem-70AD) had already happened. Why leave this part in?

Well St Matthew is writing to a Jewish sector of the church. He does not know at this time that there will be a Bible or canon. His concern, his audience is the Jewish Christian Community. But we, the pagan territory, can learn from this. The message of the coming of the Kingdom has to be felt and heard in our own backyards. Our Lord often told people whom he healed to go HOME. Your toughest audience, the audience that will check your message is indeed your family. I have five brothers and one sister and we are as diverse in thought and conduct as the east is from the west. I know the challenges and blessings of going home and proclaiming.

Today maybe our Lord is asking us to show the fruits of the kingdom first within our families. Who needs to be understood? Who needs to be accepted? Is there one who cannot find ways of asking for forgiveness but they need to be forgiven. Who is hurt? Who needs to be challenged. Home can be tough but it purifies us.