Thursday July 23, 2026

Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples went up to Jesus and asked, ‘Why do you talk to them in parables?’ ‘Because’ he replied, ‘the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to you, but they are not revealed to them.

The past two Sundays we have been reading from the 13th chapter of Matthew. We have one more week of parables this coming Sunday. Take a listen to those homilies. They are posted on our website.

Most of us think that Jesus regularly taught in parables and that these parables are cute little stories. This is a mistake. Even the disciples questioned him when he spoke in parables. This means his regular teaching was plain talk. Simple and straightforward. Parables are complex, they also confront us at the core. Think about the powerful parable that we find in the Hebrew Scriptures. The one told by Nathan to King David when he was being a total dushbag. That parable convicted David and brought him back to his senses.

So our Lord will use a parable when he cannot get through to their senses. These are powerful stories that should arrest the listener. Think Good Samaritan. The message there was so powerful that to this day we are only scratching the surface of it. So read or hear these parables with this in mind: Do I get it now?

Wednesday July 22, 2026

John 20:1-2,11-18

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb.

Today we celebrate the feast day of St Mary of Magdala. What a fascinating woman she must have been. I wish her gospel account of the life of Jesus had made it into the canon. I gotta tell you a story about a woman in Lebanon Ky who made an appointment with me. I was a young priest then fresh out of seminary. Well this angel of a person in Lebanon came to see me. In our meeting she said “father my issue is with Mary Magdalene. If that woman thinks she will have Jesus all to herself in heaven, she has another thing coming to her. I love love our Lord!” Seminary had not prepared me for such a love and my response was “….I think there is enough Jesus to go around…”

I had no idea how women love. Well let me say some women. It is a different kind of love than I have for our Lord. Mary Magdala loved our Lord. Not even the Roman soldiers would scare her and the other Marys away. My favorite episode is when she recognizes him. Scripture says she embraced him. I think she threw herself into his arms and gave him the biggest maybe most awkward hug. She would not let go!! Scripture says Jesus told her “let me go…”. Anyway do you have a friend like that? Can you be or are you a friend like that? I love it when I meet people who have been friends since grade school. If you have kept a friendship over 25+ years or since grade school there is something special about you.

Today check on your friend.

Tuesday July 21, 2026

Matthew 12:46-50

Jesus was speaking to the crowds when his mother and his brothers appeared; they were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him.

This little passage has caused some headaches for the church for two reasons. Immaculate conception and Family Drama. However I think there should be no tension at all. This is life. Whether our Lord had siblings or cousins or the whole issue of misunderstandings within family does not take away from how holy this family is in my opinion.

Many of us at some point in our lives have been grossly misunderstood and judged. This is probably one of the most painful moments of our Lord. His family is here to take him home because people think he is mad. I bet, word was sent to the family to come take him. I can sense the pain of it all.

Today I invite you to say a prayer for those who cannot seem to fit in. Pray too for their mothers who suffer alongside them.

Friday July 17, 2026

Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22,7:2

Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, “The Lord, the God of David your ancestor, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will cure you: in three days’ time you shall go up to the Temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life…

Folks nothing is written in stone with God, he can change his mind. When you get some time please read this passage. First Hezekiah gets some terrible news from Isaiah. He is told by the prophet to put his affairs in order for he was going to die. Well Hezekiah, goes into prayer and asks for more time. God hears the cry and changes his mind.

Think of a time in your life when you thought this is it. It’s over now but you also dared to pray for a miracle. You somehow pushed through and by God’s good grace you saw another day. I still remember the day I left the monastery. I had Spent seven years in there. Seven years seems like a short period but it was all I knew. Like Mary in the Sound of Music I stood outside the gates with my suitcase and wondered what I would do? I can’t go back home… ok I will go to America. That in itself was a miracle.

Today retell your miracle. I know you have a couple. God has heard your prayer.

Monday July 13, 2026

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.

The disciples and our Lord most probably, did not want to rough up any feathers. These were peaceful people who would bare a lot on themselves in order to make peace. But at some point some very difficult decisions had to be made. They had to draw a line which inevitably caused some tensions.

You have done this in your life as well. It is the hazard of growing up. We would hope that people will understand that these differences we have should not mean that we are enemies. It simply means we have non negotiables. Unfortunately we are at a place in history where demonizing each other and attacking each other’s character is so common place. Think of the people who became enemies because of COVID-19.

Your decision to follow Christ will gain you some friends and some enemies. Take it in strides.

Monday June 29, 2026

Galatians 1:11-20

The Good News I preached is not a human message that I was given by men, it is something I learnt only through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Today we celebrate the feast of St Peter and St Paul. These two great apostles were and are still instrumental to the formation of our faith. They also tell us something else when we look close enough!! The work of Christ MUST continue despite our differences. These two could not stand each other. At one time St. Paul called St. Peter a flip flopper. Now how do you come back from that. But they worked it out. They learned to respect their differences and they pushed forward.

The mission must come first folks. Today I invite you to find common ground with someone you may not agree with on everything. It takes all kinds to make this world go around. One of the saddest things I have ever seen is parents who are separated and use the children to settle scores. I know, I have not been in that situation and should not speak of it but I have seen enough. Don’t use children to get at each other. The mission of raising these beautiful souls must take precedence.

Let us pray for the grace to be respectful of our differences and the courage to work together to spread kindness and goodness.

Wednesday June 24, 2026

Luke 1:57-66,80

The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.

Today we celebrate the Birth of John The Baptist. Incidentally I just finished watching a clip of a Preacher with Cerebral Palsy. This guy Pastor David Ring is amazing. Through his difficulties he preached the word of God and challenged us with a simple question “What is your excuse?” We never hear about the insecurities of John the Baptist or St Peter or The Lord himself. Yet if they were fully human like us, you know they fought through things.

Last week I was talking to another sergeant at work about an upcoming Lieutenant test where I have to present before a panel. I am worried about my accent, it always gets in the way. His response was “lean into it…” He said out of 30 people, you will be the only one who sounds like you are from BFE, that is your super power. They may struggle to understand you but you will be unforgettable. I tell you what, that guy can sell ice to an Eskimo.

Anyway John The Baptist understood his mission and pressed on. May you have no excuses today to find your peace in Christ. You have everything you need.

Tuesday June 23, 2026

Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.

He certainly had a way with words. I would love to hear this in the original Aramaic and how it landed on the ears of the first listeners. We often talk about energy or power in relationships. I think this little passage addresses those who are exhausted trying to make themselves understandable or welcomed but are met with rejection. Don’t waste your energy on people who have already made up their minds on you. Those people will with one little blunders on your part, will tear you to pieces. They never accepted you in the first place. As we grow we learn to choose our company carefully.

This I believe is about self love. If you love and value yourself enough, you will not give your precious energy to those who don’t value it.

What is holy? What is the pearl in your life? Your precious time and energy. Guard them!!!

Friday June 19, 2026

Matthew 6:19-23

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal.

Here is another reminder from the Lord that your soul, the part of you that never dies is on a journey. That journey includes the earth experience but there is more. You are spirit too and we have to invest in the other journey.

So recently I have been watching some clips from the paranormal couple. This is a couple that goes into cemeteries and tries to make contact with souls. They use some kind of gadget which can translate energy. I have to say that I was always a skeptic of mediums. In the old country they would absolutely scare me. My mother often spoke of her dead mother as if she was still alive. Grandma visited her many times even after her death. Now I did not get the intuitive gene or if I got it the Jesuits certainly took care of that intuition in minor seminary leaving me dry as a desert. Philosophy and Theology disconnected me from traditional intuition. Anyway this paranormal couple is talking to souls that are either lost or still have unfinished business. Some forgiving that has to be done or seeking help with this or that. Another soul did not know that the body had died and needed some direction. In the past I would dismiss all this. Nowadays I pause and wonder what if this is a gift from God. What if truly God has given gifts to some who are on earth to guide souls that might seem lost? Now this kind of thinking will get you kicked out of church but ….. what if?

Listen, take care of your soul too as you build your wealth here on earth. Yes some things you can take with you into the afterlife. Good works and a strong relationship with your brothers and sisters and with GOD is true investment.

Fr. Chibundi

Thursday June 18, 2026

Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,

may your name be held holy,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.

And do not put us to the test,

but save us from the evil one.

I absolutely love languages so a few years ago I wanted to learn the Lord’s Prayer in Jewish Aramaic. I wanted to say this beautiful prayer the very same way Jesus prayed it. So I asked on Facebook if anyone in Louisville could read Aramaic. That very week someone showed up at Church who spoke the language of Jesus. It was the greatest coincidence.

Anyway I took him into the sacristy and recorded him saying the Lord’s Prayer and translating it as close as possible to the original version. I know that something is always lost in translation.

Anyway since that day I pray every day in Aramaic. There is one little line I want to share with you. In English we pray “…your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” in Aramaic it is “… your Will be done in heaven as it is on earth..” Listen carefully, your Will be done everywhere else, in other lands as it is done in my life. The Will of the Lord is being done in my life and how I wish everyone allows it to happen in their lives.

So no matter what happens to me, I know one thing, God’s Will is done here. It is empowering to know that you are anointed and no matter your mistakes, God is accomplishing his will through you to your family and work place. Sit with that for a second.

Monday June 15, 2026

Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance.

Do you know how strong you are? Yes, you have great discipline because there are many time you bit your tongue and never said anything when everything in you wanted to lash out.

Recently God spoke to me and how I wish he had not just for a split second. You know I have the blessing of having an accent in this part of the world. And some people take that as a mark of stupidity or weakness. So on this particular evening at my other job I had a colleague talk to me with such disrespect and I was ready to fire back an email. Then God said “do not respond to that one.” I knew it was God speaking but he used the voice of my partner at work. I paused. Five hours later my supervisors responded to the nasty email and settled the matter. Sometimes we need to pause, God will sort it out.

Your strength lies in your ability to control your instincts my friend. Sometimes not responding to crazy is more powerful than engaging.

You got this!!!

Tuesday June 9, 2026

Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.

Notice how our Lord does not tell the disciples that they will become salt of the earth or they need to become salt of the earth. I always thought I had to do something or become something else so I can have an impact. There is nothing extra to do my friend. Why? Because something has already been done long before we ever showed up. God wanted to breathe us into being at this time and place in history. Yes he gives us free will but I also believe we have been carefully placed. There are just so many things that have happened in my life that cannot be coincidental. In my other job that I cannot speak of, God has pulled support for me from people I never ever thought would stand for me when someone tried cause trouble.

So you are salt of the earth because God wants you where you are right now at this point in history. Sometimes we don’t see our why because we are trying too much. Just relax and ask, Lord what is my role at this point?

Fr Chibundi

Friday June 5, 2026

2 Timothy 3:10-17

You know what I have taught, how I have lived, what I have aimed at; you know my faith, my patience and my love; my constancy and the persecutions and hardships that came to me in places like Antioch, Iconium and Lystra – all the persecutions I have endured; and the Lord has rescued me from every one of them.

Can you tell the story of how the Lord has rescued you from situations that would have totally destroyed you? Or maybe tell the story of how the Lord is rescuing you as we speak from a no win situation. I have found that naming and pointing out or simply recognizing the workings of the Lord is halfway to victory. I think every week you should tell yourself or tell a close friend about the little ways and mighty ways God showed up. And if you feel God has not been showing up for you lately, don’t feel bad or guilty recognizing that. You are simply in the season of waiting.

Let’s make it a habit of giving testimony. It does not only lift others up, it lifts our spirits too. Sing with me the beautiful song from Sunday School “What the Lord has done for me, I cannot tell it all…”

Thursday June 4, 2026

John 6:51-56

Jesus said to the crowd:

‘I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.

Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;

and the bread that I shall give is my flesh,

for the life of the world.’

We will celebrate the feast of the body and blood of Christ this coming Sunday. Sometimes I wish we could celebrate this feast as we did in the old country. It used to be a massive feast of procession. On this day, Jesus got out of church. I remember the priest dressed in golden vestments carrying a heavy Golden Monstrance carrying the blessed sacrament. There was not a shortage of incense on this day as the priest went deep into the African villages/townships blessing people. When Jesus was brought back to the church, we had benediction. It was a whole day affair indeed.

What does the Body and Blood of Jesus mean to you? Should Jesus leave the church once a year? This Sunday, we will hear about the mystical body of Christ. Real presence also happens when the mystical body reaches the world whenever you show up. Remember, the only scripture that some people will ever read is your presence to and for them when you show up!!! I cannot wait to preach this homily.

Much love

Monday June 1, 2026

2 Peter 1:2-7

May you have more and more grace and peace as you come to know our Lord more and more.

By his divine power, he has given us all the things that we need for life and for true devotion, bringing us to know God himself, who has called us by his own glory and goodness.

I absolutely echo St Peter’s message over your life today. I want an abundance of grace over your life and peace. Do you think and feel that you are at peace with your life today? I thank God that the home that Mary Ann and I have created is also a sanctuary for us. I have said to her many a time that she brings so much peace in my otherwise chaotic life. But really are you at peace. Do this little exercise for me. With your eyes closed and hands over your heart say, I am at peace with where my life is.

For St Peter, this peace comes from knowing the Lord. And for us as well friends the more we know the ever presence of God and the more we are willing to put everything in his hands, the more at peace we will be.

I also want to pray for those for whom home is a battlefield. I pray especially for children born in chaos. Just know that you serve a God who makes a way where there is no way. He will bring you to your place of sanctuary. God will sort it out!!!

Love you.

Wednesday May 27, 2026

Mark 10:32-45

The disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem; Jesus was walking on ahead of them; they were in a daze, and those who followed were apprehensive.

Have you ever had the feeling of being surrounded by people and yet felt so alone? This episode brings to light for me how much Jesus was alone sometimes. In this episode, he tells the disciples that he will face death when he gets to Jerusalem. Then James and John come up to him and ask if they could have prominent places in his cabinet when they get to Jerusalem. Nobody heard him. Or they just glossed over what he had shared with them. In fact a fight/disagreement erupts among the disciples about this. They are upset that James and John would go behind everyone and ask for this. The fight for power does not escape churchy folk.

Sometimes we think Jesus was just giving the disciples an FYI about what will happen in Jerusalem. We think he was ok with it. I think not, I think the Lord was troubled at heart and he shared with his closest friends what was troubling him but nobody listened.

I am so blessed that often I don’t even have to say what is troubling me before my wife asks, “are you ok darling?” She notices my energy, my mood.

I invite you today to pay a little more attention to those around you. Do you notice the unspoken pain and worry? Do you notice the joy too? I certainly hope no one ever feels this alone when they are in our company.

Tuesday May 26, 2026

Mark 10:28-31

At that time Peter began to tell Jesus, ‘What about us? We have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land – not without persecutions – now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.

I absolutely love this episode. Nothing churchy about it at all but just a raw conversation between the practical Peter and the practical Jesus. Dude, we have children and tuition, how are we to provide for them?

I have to say that growing up in the Roman Catholic Church and being in seminary, I never lacked anything. Holy Mother church took very good care of me. We used to say in seminary that “Join the church and travel the world.” Before I was 25 I had lived in three different countries. The Lord has blessed the church. We talk about the poverty of the church, the truth is it’s only talk. The church is doing extremely well because God has blessed it. In a way Holy Mother Church has to be blessed so she can bless the world with hospitals, schools, food banks to mention but a few. This blessing comes from above but it also comes from you.

When we started Rabbouni, I had to pick up a second job and I have kept a second job because as you well know, life is expensive out here and our church like in the early church could use every help. I have to tell you this: Our Lord Jesus was spot on. I have been so incredibly blessed. Now sometimes I worry but even Rabbouni as small as we are as a faith community we have been provided for. This gospel passage is about trusting God. You will receive new brothers, sisters, family. God will show up in many many different ways if you but trust his word.

I don’t know if St. Peter saw it all. But we see and experience what our Lord promised that early struggling community that faced so much uncertainty.

Friday May 22, 2026

John 21:15-19

Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.

Today I commemorate 22 years of being a priest. On May 22. 2004, I was ordained a priest by Archbishop Kelly of the Archdiocese of Louisville. I have to say that things have not gone according to plan but in a weird and twisted way God has made a way. For when God ordains, God sustains. Somehow he has carved out a ministry for me and I have to tell you if it wasn’t for Him, Rabbouni would have closed in no time. Yet God has so blessed us that this Sunday we are celebrating a Confirmation of 7 teenagers and our ministry is stronger than ever. Truly you should come see the miracle of Rabbouni. You don’t have to join us, just come experience how it feels to sit in God’s blessings.

Do you love me? Imagine Jesus asking you this question. Do you love me? Will you trust me? It is a scary thing to completely love the Lord especially in the times of St Peter. St. Peter avoids the question. We do not get this translation or avoidance in the English language. But our Lord asks, do you have Agape for me? Peter responds, yes I have Filia, for you. Translated, do you have self sacrificing love for me? Yes I have only friendship love for you. Like a politician St Peter finds a way to answer the question he wants not the question he is asked.

What scares you the most about trusting? For me, it’s not knowing if things will pan out. Not knowing if anyone will show up at Rabbouni, yet with our team we set the table. Year after year we do not know if we will have enough money to cover our expenses and yet year after year we have a surplus. Someone please explain this to my stubborn self.

Thursday May 21, 2026

John 17:20-26

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Holy Father,

I pray not only for these,

but for those also

who through their words will believe in me.

May they all be one.

Father, may they be one in us,

as you are in me and I am in you,

so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.

I remember writing a paper during my studies in South Africa about unity not uniformity. I don’t even remember if I was assigned the topic or we all had to write it. Our differences are really what makes the salad bowl of living beings beautiful to behold and have. Think how boring a world would be if we were exactly the same in every way. This is why I call out to you to sing your song, live your life out loud. Because when we take ourselves out of the mix, the world misses out on the beauty that God wants to add to this world at this time.

Our Lord prays that his disciples be one. Why pray for something that would be so obvious. Well maybe when you get close enough things were not as smooth sailing as we might think. The tribal differences were too entrenched, the politics were intense (church politics is brutal). So he prays that we find a way to see the good in each other. I remember how happy mama was when we as a family got along. There is seven of us and meeting us you would question if we all come from the same womb. We are as far as the east is from the west and sometimes it feels like the bond that keeps us together will snap anytime. Find a way to make your bonds strong and stronger.

Remember Mr. Marley and the song he left for us …”One Love…” In the end, all we have is each other. My charge to you is “Find a way to be one again!!!”

Wednesday May 13, 2026

Acts 17:15-22

‘Men of Athens, I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it.

Right after my first vows I was sent to go evangelize among the Bush-Men or Basarwa as we called them in a place called Hukuntsi right in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Oh I was ready to go convert them! My novice master saw the excitement and eagerness in me and as he loaded my vehicle up, he called me to the side. He placed his hands on my shoulders and in his beautiful Irish accent he said “Brother Robert, remember this, before you get there know that God is already there..”

I very quickly learned that when you get somewhere, you have to kiss the ground and the people. That is, be willing to learn. I brought nothing to the Bush-Men. Instead they ministered to me in ways that have changed my life.

St Paul recognized that people in Athens had more spirituality in them than he had ever imagined. Have you ever thought that your child would be your teacher? Today open yourself to the lessons that Mother Earth, the universe, your spouse, children and friends bring to you. Lessons that challenge and grow you. God is all over your life. Listen and learn!!!