Tuesday January 6, 2026

Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east.

Happy 12th day of Christmas to you! The Feast of the Epiphany is usually celebrated today but we had it this past Sunday. You can find the extended homily on the Rabbouni Page.

Let’s look at this beautiful first line in the gospel of Matthew: “After Jesus was born in Bethleheof Judaea during the reign of King Herod…” I have said before that there are no throw way lines in scripture given how expensive paper and ink were back in the day. So what are we to take from this?

You know that when a story begins with “Once upon a time…” or “A long long time ago…” that story is most probably a myth or rather not based in history.

Matthew is naming place and time. We know where Bethlehem of Judaea is and we know who and when Herod was King. What St Matthew is telling us is that at a very specific time in history God intervened. I think our Protestant brothers and sisters do this better than most Catholics. It used to drive me crazy but they would often talk about when they were saved. As a Catholic I was saved on Good Friday April 7, 30 AD when Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. But for my Protestant friends they could pin point when and where the Lord intervened in their personal lives.

Today, I want you to start taking notes of any divine intervention that you experience. Let there be nothing small that goes unnoticed. Write it down. It could be something like “On this day January 6, 2026 I witnessed the most beautiful mourning and I felt it my soul that God will make everything work out.”

Friday, January 2, 2026

John 1:19-21

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’

There was a point at the beginnings of what would be church history when questions were asked about St John. These questions went on after his death and after the death and resurrection of our Lord. Was the Christ John or Jesus. What these early passages want to establish to everyone is that John was not the Christ. It does however give us something to preach about. Who are you? What are you about? People want to know.

The same question was asked of the Buddha. Who are you? Are you a god? NO. Are you a sorcerer? No. Tell us who are you that we might give an answer. The Buddah gave his answer “I am awake.”

We are invited today to pose that question to ourselves and quietly answer it. Well this life, this year will ask you that question in many different ways. Find your calling and may it make you comfortable sometimes and uncomfortable other times. I am a simple parish priest among many other identities. A continued Merry Christmas and remember Rabbouni in your end of year giving please. Your financial help keeps our doors open.

Thursday January 1, 2026

Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say.

A very happy new year to you. My earnest prayer for you this year is that you know that God accompanies you into whatever life will bring to your doorstep this 2026. The Romans named the start of the new year after their god Janus. Janus was believed to be the god of beginnings, transitions, time and endings. He is depicted with two faces. One looking forward and one looking backward. The idea or part of it was, we look backward and pick up the lessons we learned and we look forward with hope. Using the knowledge of our past we build a more secure future.I like the way Our Lord Jesus put it though. He said “watch and pray” or “be watchful.”

On this feast of Mary the Mother of God. I invite you to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. This year will be full of those promptings, those moments when Spirit says “I am with you.”

God bless your every move and remember Rabbouni in your end of year giving. Mahalo

Monday December 29, 2025

Luke 2:22-35

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord:

Something very special will happen at the temple when Simon and Anna take hold of baby Jesus. They will say special prayers and whisper something to Mary and Joseph, something these parents will never forget. Taking the baby the prophet will say “…,, my eyes have seen your salvation….”

This is before our Lord ever utters a word! He is the salvation even before his death and resurrection. By his birth, God has intervened in human history.

I wonder how many times Jesus heard his mama retell this story. “When we took you to the temple…” I think every baby comes with a story they will hear over and over again. Sometimes we are irritated by those stories of “when you were young..” but I want you to hear them again. Learn about the things that happened around you even before you said a word. You too have infancy stories and they say something special about you. I tell Grayson that he was/is a miracle baby. His grandfather tells him stories about when he baptized him. Yes sometimes children do not want to hear the little miracles or happenings around their births but we ought to tell them. God was at work in the silence.

Now to business: in these last days of the year, would you consider an end of year giving to Rabbouni. Your donations have kept us going for 16 years. Thank you for your support of this ministry.

Mahalo

Friday December 19, 2025

Luke 1:5-25

In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. Both were worthy in the sight of God, and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of the Lord. But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both getting on in years.

We may need to rewrite this passage. It is a little harsh on Elizabeth. How about we say Zechariah and Elizabeth struggled with infertility. Regardless of the translation this issue is still painful today. I find people are a lot more respectful here in my side of America about infertility. Back home however, as soon as someone gets married the whole family and friends are not shy to ask when the couple will “give us children.” If a year passes without children the talk starts …”you know you won’t be young forever or is it time for a second…”

Here is the deal, there is always something that is missing. If it’s not children, it may be a spouse, or it may be a job, or winning the power all . Can I ask us to pause today and just be thankful for the life we have. We may not have everything we desire but we are blessed. Today I pray for an attitude of gratitude. Amen!

Thursday December 18, 2025

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly.

I mentioned a while back that the readings at liturgy do not really start addressing the birth of our Lord until December 17. We read these passages with much joy and anticipation but the characters in it are going through unbelievable stress. Mary and Joseph are trying to figure things out. They will need some very understanding parents and friends.

You know, sometimes doing the WILL of God comes with walking in darkness, walking in the mystery of the unknown. You have done this your whole life. You have not been certain of how things will turn out yet you trusted. Today say a prayer for those who do not yet see the full picture. God certainly does sort things out.

Monday December 15, 2025

Matthew 21:23-27

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

Have you noticed that our Lord almost always got in trouble whenever he entered the temple or synagogue? In fact the spirit is at work in him whenever he is outside these places which are meant to be houses of prayer but have become places of politics. He heals when he is at Simon’s house or walking by some street corner. But when he enters “sacred places” something happens to him.

My thought for the day is find yourself a place where the spirit moves freely in and through you and grow there. That is your place of ministry. Some people thrive in an office, others thrive in the field while others thrive whenever they do numbers. Sometimes we spend too much time trying to fit a circle in a square box.

Peace and many many blessings to you.

Wednesday December 10, 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.’

Water gives life and natures the earth but it can also bring death and destruction. Spirituality or religion has given many people hope but when not properly placed, it has been responsible for many a war.

So why is his yoke easy and burden light. I think those who grew up around wooden or tailor made yokes understand this better. For city “boys” a yoke is a yoke. All you have to do is place it on an ox. But for village people, we know that the yoke has to be tailor made for each ox. When the yoke fits perfectly, it makes the load light.

I want you to be careful with a one size fits all kind of religion or church. Our needs are different and sometimes life is not black or white. Sometimes we are in the gray. Hake the older I get the grayer life has become and so I have learned to bite my tongue.

Our Lord will meet you where you are not necessarily where the church wants you to be sometimes.

Tuesday December 9, 2025

Matthew 18:12-14

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray?

This passage came to life for me as I observed a mother who even in her advanced age worried over her grown child who was an addict. I was a young priest when this lady approached me after mass in Lebanon. Father Chibundi, she said, I know you are close to God. Would you please pray for my son that he gets arrested. I thought it was a crazy prayer request and I inquired if it was indeed a serious prayer request. Father, she explained, I just want to sleep. If he is arrested, I would know every night where he is. I can’t sleep because I don’t know if he is dead in a ditch somewhere. It is then that I realized how profoundly she loved her child.

God will not sleep until you are home safe. He himself has come to lead you home to safety.

Friday December 5, 2025

Matthew 9:27-31

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

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

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

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

Thursday December 4, 2025

Matthew 7:21-24,27

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

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

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

Love you the most!!

Monday December 1, 2025

Matthew 8:5-11

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

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

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

Wednesday November 26, 2025

Luke 21:12-19

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

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

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

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

Happy thanksgiving my friends.

Tuesday November 25, 2025

Luke 21:5-11

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday November 21, 2025

Luke 19:45-48

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday November 20, 2025

Luke 19:41-44

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

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

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

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

Monday November 17, 2025

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

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

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

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

Wednesday November 12, 2025

Luke 17:11-19

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

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

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

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

Tuesday November 11, 2025

Luke 17:7-10

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

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

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

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

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

Friday November 7, 2025

Luke 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples:

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

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

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