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.

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