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.

Tuesday July 8, 2025

Matthew 9:32-37

A man was brought to Jesus, a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ they said.

What is your biggest fear? Did you know that public speaking and fear of spiders rank among the top fears in America? I was asked this question about my biggest fear when I was entering seminary here in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Without missing a beat I said, LIONS!! I can’t stand those!! The psychologist laughed and he said he had never received such an answer in all his years. Guess I was the first African he had interviewed. Americans fear things such as getting old, speaking, being alone, getting out of shape etc etc different places, different fears.

Anyway in the scriptures Our Lord casts out the dumb spirit. He frees the tongue to speak. This is a freeing of someone to proclaim the good news. You have a beautiful expression in English…. Tongue tight. Do you become tongue tight when it comes to sharing your faith, sharing the good news? Today our Lord casts that spirit out that you may sing the song of your life in your own unique way.

Mahalo

Thursday July 3, 2025

John 20:24-29

The Feast of St Thomas the Apostle

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.

The Easter proclamation: The Lord is truly Risen; He is risen indeed, is a very powerful statement that has carried the church for 2000 years. Do you know an even more powerful statement? Mary of Magdala said it first and it is repeated in the passage above: I have seen the Lord.

Sit with that one today. I have seen the Lord or We have seen the Lord. Until St Thomas experiences the Risen Lord his life is somewhat miserable. He is not as happy, he is not at peace because he has not seen the Lord.

We experience the Lord in our daily lives but this passage invites us to be with the other believers at our Sunday Eucharist to experience, to see the Lord. The following week St Thomas was at mass when Our Lord showed up. On this feast day of St Thomas may we be reminded to seek this community experience with the Lord. Folks, I have seen the Lord at Rabbouni. Sometimes he is at peace and other times he is worried because life presents more questions than answers. In doing life with you, I see the Lord.

Fr Chibundi

Friday June 20, 2025

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. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

May I remind you again today my friend that you are not an earthly being who sometimes has spiritual experiences, rather you are a SPIRITUAL BEING having an earth experience. Please repeat that line to yourself as often as you can and eventually things will be put in right perspective for you. There is more to you and your path than what meets the eye.

Today Our Lord reminds the disciples that as citizens of heaven (The place where God is now) they ought to seek the things of heaven. Those things satisfy the soul. Things of the earth may make us comfortable but we may still have some restlessness, some hunger, some thirst. But when our souls are fed, when we find our peace, we become complete.

Someone once asked me when we were struggling at Rabbouni. He said “Tell me, how much is Rabbouni worth to you?” Priceless!!! Absolutely priceless!!! It is our place of peace, here my soul is fed. He said “then spend your time, talent and treasure there.”

As for you, make sure you are investing in what gives you the things of heaven. A good question to ask would be “how would my life be without …..”

Love you!!

Thursday June 19, 2025

Luke 19:11-17

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the body and blood of Christ. Most churches will also celebrate this feast this coming Sunday. Whenever this feast comes around, I become nostalgic. I remember as a young boy in the blistering hot sun of my motherland serving mass and then taking Jesus into the streets. This feast and Palm Sunday were the mother of processions. People would line up, the sick would be brought out as the priest carried the Blessed Sacrament from the church to the different stations, walking all the way. I really never saw father in the gym but that day he had the muscles and stamina.

The jesuits changed this feast for me. One Jesuit priest asked us later in life: Does it make sense to have Jesus leave the church once a year? Shouldn’t our Lord leave the church every time you leave the church? Yes this feast is important but the full meaning of it is that there is also real presence in you. Become what you receive!!! Become the body and blood of Christ!!

Monday, June 16, 2025

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. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.’

The disciples were ready to pick up arms, they were ready to kick the Romans out by force. And for a while there it seemed to them like Jesus was building an army of resistance. And then today he seems to have second thoughts about a real fight. He asks them not to waste their energies with fools.

A long time ago someone told me that in most relationships it’s about power. Who has the power and how do they use it! This is why we want the last word and we scream to get it in. What if we changed that. Say our truth quietly and firmly and then move on. It always drives the weak ones or rather the bully, crazy when you don’t give them the fight.

So today do the hard thing! Just observe, learn your lesson and move on. Now sometimes you have to say something but other times, silence speaks louder.

Wednesday June 11, 2025

Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.

I wonder what would give them that impression? Maybe it was seeing Our Lord touch the unclean peoples when the law itself was clear that those people shall be avoided. Maybe it was being friend to those who were headed to hell in a hand basket. He just seemed to be taking liberties with what was clear cut.

Do you know that mama was the most difficult person to learn cooking from? She never had a book!!! It was a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Her experience freed her from the recipe book. I on the other hand have tons of cooking books. Well frankly I don’t use them anymore but there was a time I could not boil water without looking it up. Experience freed me.

I think there is a time in all our lives when we keep to the script. In fact there are fundamentals that we ought to keep. Our Lord invites us also to use our God given common sense. Here is a beautiful truth: if your religion makes you less human it may be time to look at it again. There was a time when priests could not go to the funeral of someone who committed suicide. That person would not even be allowed in church. But is the funeral for the dead or the living? At a time when they needed the church to hug them we closed our arms. Thank goodness that has changed.

Tuesday June 10, 2025

Matthew 5:13-16

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.

The Easter season concludes with the celebration of Pentecost which we had last Sunday. We are back in ordinary time. Can we still talk about the Holy Spirit though? Do you feel like you have had the baptism of the Spirit? Most of us Catholics have had confirmation but few ever experience what is called the greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

I don’t want you to be caught up in the jumping up and down and loud praying. Yes I love that manifestation of the Holy Spirit but St Paul tells us that there are many gifts but the same Spirit. So do not compare your gifts with someone else’s. Don’t they say still waters run deep?

What do you do well? What is it in you that you think God created you for? Are you a kind person? Are you a great decorator? A good mother or father or aunt or uncle? Today find again what you are particularly good at and see it as Ghost Power, Holy Ghost power!!

Thursday June 5, 2025

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.

Perhaps today we can find comfort in this beautiful passage from the gospel of John. Jesus the Son of God prayed for us. What is that prayer? That we may be one. Of course the world has moved on and there have been many differences that have led to war or enemies being formed. His great prayer however is that we may be one. What does that mean?

There is a beautiful passage in Philippians 2:5 which says “…be of the same mind that was in Christ..” Though different we all can adopt for ourselves the values that were in Christ Jesus. We can for example learn to think of others first. We can for example extend the gift of forgiveness.

Be like Christ, be Christ today.

Monday John 16:29-33

June 2nd 2022

Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –

when you will be scattered,

each going his own way and leaving me alone.

And yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

It happens all so fast doesn’t it? One minute you are with your friends and then life strikes. You find yourself with new friends and new relationships. Sometimes you find yourself with no friends. Just you and your responsibilities. I have often found myself as a working horse as my social interaction has dwindled to my family of choice.

I certainly hope you do a better job at remembering to tag the lord along a you become more alone. I pray we find the gift of being alone and that we lean into it. Maybe when we are scattered to the ends of the earth we will remember to be creative in finding him who first loved us and called us to communion. May God bless us all

Wednesday May 28, 2025

John 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I still have many things to say to you

but they would be too much for you now.

But when the Spirit of truth comes

he will lead you to the complete truth,

since he will not be speaking as from himself

but will say only what he has learnt;

I remember reading a book called “The Spirit bed me go” many years ago. This little book began a process within me of listening to the Spirit, listening to the promptings of the Spirit. Then a few days ago Mary Ann introduced me to the podcast of Mel Robbins and she had a lady on there that spoke about changing the way we pray and asking “The Universe” what our place is in it. The Universe for me is God or SPIRIT. Spirit does reveal to us all things but the most important revelation for me is my place, my vocation, my calling.

Let us pray for an awakening to what SPIRIT wants of us. And let us pray for a willingness to listen to the difficult asks of this divine spirit. Don’t worry friend, you don’t have to do much because you are already participating in the divine work.

Tuesday May 27, 2025

John 16:5-11

Still, I must tell you the truth:

it is for your own good that I am going

because unless I go,

the Advocate will not come to you;

We have been meditating on the farewell discourse of Our Lord for a while now. This was of course a very difficult time for the disciples because they could not imagine a life without him. He had been their strength, their reason to get up every day. Now he speaks of departure. I don’t think this passage is historical, that is Jesus actual words. I think the author is responding to a need or sense of abandonment that his faith community is experiencing in the year 120AD. This is a growing church but also a church under persecution.

Let’s talk about you. I don’t think you and I are facing persecution. We certainly are not living in 120AD. How does this passage preach? You have to let go of something or someone so you can experience new life. Our Lord says “ unless I go… the Advocate will not come. May we begin today the process of letting go so we can experience more.

May God, bless us all.

Thursday May 22, 2025

John 15:9-12

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘As the Father has loved me,

so I have loved you.

Remain in my love.

On this day 21 years ago I was ordained a priest by Archbishop Kelly. It has been the most unpredictable 21 years that a soul could ever live. But if you look back on your past 21 years would you have ever dreamed of being where you are? I believe a few people would say yes to that but for the vast majority it has been an unpredictable future. I often sing to my soul the beautiful song “be still my soul, God will undertake to guard and guide the future as he has the past.” So thank you to all who have blessed me with your presence these past many years. Yours are the pieces that make the mosaic of the face of God.

Our Lord says today “Remain in my love.” I love to people watch and whenever I see an older couple holding hands or dancing I reflect on what it takes to be in love that long. How in the world do you remain in love? I think part of the answer is to choose your person every day. To proudly say “she is my girl or he is my guy.” Do you choose God as he chooses you? Today I hear God say “yup that’s my priest.” Thank you Lord for being my friend.

May God Bless us all!

Monday May 19, 2025

John 14:21-26

I have said these things to you while still with you;

but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you everything

and remind you of all I have said to you.’

We now in this second part of Easter shift our attention from Resurrection to the action of the Holy Spirit. I frankly did not know much about the Holy Spirit. I mean I knew about confirmation and the gifts of the spirit but I did not have an experience of it. It all changed when a friend of mine introduced me to the charismatic renewal movement that was sweeping the Zambian Catholic community. This was the time when we the Zambian Church allowed ourselves to get caught up in the movement of the Spirit. I can clearly see now why it made the church leaders nervous but they did a great job in giving guidance to this free praying, dancing and singing group. I so wish you could experience it.

Remember I once said that there is a difference between saying “The Lord is Risen” and “I have seen the Lord?” One is a proclamation of faith and the other an experience. I wish for you an experience of the spirit. Not trusting that God’s Spirit is leading us in a mysterious way but actually feeling that we are being led. Both by the way are valid experiences of faith but the latter for me, has been very powerful.

Today go in your silent prayer and invite the spirit, let yourself be led.

“Come Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth.”

Wednesday May 14, 2025

John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘As the Father has loved me,

so I have loved you.

Remain in my love.

If you keep my commandments

you will remain in my love.

I don’t think I ever noticed this but my eye caught it this morning. There may be nothing to it and scripture scholars might say I am reading into the text. However our Lord says “.. If you keep MY commandments…” why not say “..THE Commandments…” Are we talking about other commandments than the ten(10). But why would he call them .. his? Is this part of the high Christology of John showing us that Jesus was there from the very beginning and so God’s commandments are his commandments?

Allow me to think he had other rules for his group which fed into the Decalogue. What would those commandments be? To mention but a few this morning, I would say:

1. Do not be Afraid

2. Turn the other cheek. Understand this one in particular. It does not call you to be a doormat.

3. Do this in memory of me. Taking the bread and wine #eucharist.

4. Love God, love neighbor. Remember the story of the Good Samaritan.

5. Heal the Blind.

We can peruse the scriptures and find his instructions. If you find another please drop it in the comments below. Remember these are not in order of seriousness. They are just instructions that came from his lips.