March 31, 2026

John 13:21-33, 36-38

While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, ‘Ask who it is he means’

The humanity of Jesus is something that we tend to overlook when we think of him. Our minds don’t think about how difficult this whole thing was. We think because he is Son of God, he easily accepts the turn of events.

I sure hope you never ever have this experience of being betrayed. When someone betrays your trust it cuts deep. I am sure you know someone who was blind sided by another. It could be a broken relationship, it could be a work situation. Yes we move on but boy does it take a toll on us. I still remember when someone I thought loved me told me that she had to unfriend me on facebook because she was too important a figure in Louisville to be seen as a friend to a renegade priest. That hurt, it still hurts and I still say “ bump her” for being a fake friend.

Anyway let’s get back to the passage above. Our Lord hurt as he may be, he keeps his composure. He still sits there, maybe laughs, maybe cries, maybe loses sleep. I think I have met someone like this in my life. Someone who kept it together even as she fell apart. Debbie Spalding put it beautifully when she said “just because they carry it well does not mean it doesn’t hurt.” To alll of you who have wiped your tears and put your game face on, I salute you!!

Thursday March 26, 2026

Genesis 17:3-9

Abram bowed to the ground and God said this to him, ‘Here now is my covenant with you: you shall become the father of a multitude of nations.

The story of our father in faith Abram and Sarah his lovely wife is one that we ought to revisit often. He had everything in life but there was also a sadness. This couple suffered/ struggled with infertility. Night and day they prayed for a child but it just was not happening for them. Then when all hope was almost lost, God showed up.

Today I want you to look back at your life and find those moments when God showed up for you and how God showed up. Sometimes we are quick to forget the miracles that have happened in our lives. When I was in the charismatic renewal movement we often shared testimonies of how God was at work in our lives. Sharing these stories gave hope to those who were in the midst of storms/crisis.

Abram bowed to God and believed. Today bow to God in prayer as well, he will fulfill your heart’s desires. Amen

Monday March 23, 2026

John 8:1-11

The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’

She was nothing to them, she was like a pawn on a chess board, she was bait. They never stopped to think that she belonged to a family. They never stopped to consider her value as a human being. Who are these people who drag another person in such a way? These were the holiest people of the day. If religion makes you reckless like this, it has become false worship.

Jesus looked at her and loved her. He understood that in that moment she was nothing but a scapegoat to them. With calm he stopped this madness.

Think of the time when you stopped the madness. How did you do it? Recently I just decided not to engage with someone who was keen on sowing division. It seemed to me that whatever I said, he would twist it. So I took my power back. I chose not to engage with the madness. I know it’s not the best explanation of the scripture above but I want you to find a way to stop the craziness that finds its way into your ‘house.’

Secondly, religion has to be about individuals as well. What does this person need right now? How can I help this one person get closer to God? This mob that brought the lady to our Lord was not thinking how much they were hurting her!!!!

Wednesday March 18, 2026

John 5:17-30

Jesus said to the Jews, ‘My Father goes on working, and so do I.’ But that only made them even more intent on killing him, because, not content with breaking the sabbath, he spoke of God as his own Father, and so made himself God’s equal.

Most parents will identify with this. Do you ever stop being mama or dad? The work never stops. Sometimes it feels like you are talking about the same issues over and over again. I only have one child, he is a blessing indeed but tell you what? Can we skip the teenage years … Actually someone said to me “small children small problems, big children big problems.”

There has to be something more than duty inside you to keep you working. This passion and love for whatever you are engaged in is the key. The Pharisees and scribes had a sense of duty. That can only go so far. It eventually runs out. Jesus on the other hand was in love with God’s creation. He could not stop working.

Frankly since he was fully human, he probably had days when he was discouraged. He had days when he thought he was not making progress, maybe stuck. Have you ever felt that? Yet you wiped your tears, summoned your courage and embraced the role of parent.

Today I want you to know that God will never stop working on your desires. For nothing pleases God than see you achieve your dream and be happy.

Tuesday March 17, 2026

John 5:1-3,5-16

There was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem there is a building, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralysed – waiting for the water to move. One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years, and when Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had been in this condition for a long time, he said, ‘Do you want to be well again?’

Our Lord probably went to Bethzatha every time he visited Jerusalem when he was with his parents and later when he went with his friends. And every year he saw this man. The poor man was struggling to get into the waters. Over the years he got weaker and weaker as age caught up with him and his condition got worse. But every year he came to the waters. I absolutely love his will power, his faith, his persistence. That alone preaches for me. Keep at it, try and try again, you must want really want this healing. Is there something you have been praying for these past few years? I have prayed for someone close to me to get out of alcohol addiction. Tell you what!!! This alcohol addiction is a whole nother beast. This one requires prayer and fasting. Nothing seems to work and yet every day I pray this person heals for this disease affects everyone. This disease has torn his family apart. I hope I don’t have to pray for 38 years. Because it’s not just prayer, it is heartache as well.

Secondly, do you know why the man in the scripture never got healed? At this place of healing it was every man for himself. The place of healing itself was sick. We need compassion people. We need to see and encourage each other. Jesus saw the man!!! How many times has Jesus actually seen someone? Countless times. He SEES you!!!

Friday March 13, 2026

Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’

When I was in seminary I was taught that the Jews had 613 laws and each of them was given the same weight. I would imagine people sinned if they stepped out of bed the wrong way. I think we have all been there when religion was about rules, laws and rituals. And politics… let’s not forget that. Church politics is a whole nother animal.

Anyway which is the greatest commandment? Please boil it down Lord, we are burdened by the 613. If we had to keep the commandments which one is supreme? The scribes knew the answer to this. They said it in prayer every day. Our Lord replies “Love God with everything that you are and love your neighbor. The issue was these guys had difficult, nosy neighbors. The kind you pray you never meet in the grocery store.

My novice master often said if we bowl before the blessed sacrament, then we should also bowl to each other. He introduced namaste and its full meaning in our novitiate. I pray this Lenten season is helping you open your eyes to the divine present in others.

By the way, there is another commandment which you have probably missed. “Remember O Israel, there is but One God and you are not it!”

We all need to hear this one when our heads get too big.

Monday March 9, 2026

Luke 4:24-30

Jesus came to Nazara and spoke to the people in the synagogue: ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.

Have you ever heard the saying “Go where you are celebrated not tolerated?” Our Lord finds out today for the people of Nazara, he will always be the carpenter’s son. That alone will blind them of anything and everything good he does. I read years ago that a carpenter in ancient near east was a shade above the slave and widow in their social status. Their zip code had a terrible stigma. Now I know that these stigmas don’t come out of a vacuum. Probably the zip code had some questionable characters. This is an invitation to accept people as they are and not let prejudice make us miss out on the gifts that others bring.

Did you know that they treated the Lord so bad that he could not perform any miracles there? He left!! He went where he was celebrated and he took his accent, his upbringing, his lessons into other lands. He did not become someone else, he was always from Nazareth and that is what others loved about him.

Today do not let what others think about you determine your happiness. Remember “those who are with you are more than those who are against you.” It is a big world this one.

Wednesday March 4, 2026

Matthew 20:17-28

Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again.’

Have you ever been surrounded by people and yet felt so lonely? Imagine sharing with someone something that is bothering you and the next word out of their mouth has nothing to do with what you just shared. They were not listening the whole time you were pouring your heart out.

I don’t want you to read the passage above as Jesus giving his friends a usual FYI. No!!!! Our Lord is troubled at heart and decides to share this with his friends. The next thing out of their mouths was … can we sit at your right and left when we get to Jerusalem! Guys, REALLY?

Today we are being called to actively listen to our friends and family. What are they struggling with? How can we be helpful? What right questions should we be asking?

It is shocking how insensitive the disciples could be. Just because someone is strong does not mean they are strong all the time. You know I think of the many times I did not see or hear my mother’s pain or worry. She was/is always the strong one who bears all things. I wish I saw her tears as well.

Tuesday March 2, 2026

Matthew 23:1-12

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach.

This is a tough call especially for our cancel generation. We are quick to throw the baby and the bath water out. I actually see our Lord in this passage showing compassion to the Pharisees and Scribes. Some of them maybe misguided but they hold an important role in the Kingdom.

Listen, there is no such thing as a little hatred. It grows and takes over your whole being. So work hard to have none of it. Someone once said a long time ago that even a dead clock is right two times a day. Make sure to praise it those two times. Back in the old country we were taught not to say anything bad about a priest. How about we extend that to everyone!!

Who do you find difficult to listen to because you don’t like their character? We all have at least one person. Think about it and pray about it.

On another note please mark your calendar for next Sunday March 8. Rabbouni Catholic Community will be celebrating our 17th anniversary with Mass at 12:30 followed by a meal. Come see us and bring a friend. It is a big deal to have survived 17 years and be thriving. I really really really would love to see you and thank you for being there for us these past 17 years. See you at 7812 Brownsboro road next Sunday.

Love you

Friday February 27, 2026

Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

How deep then did the virtue of the Scribes and Pharisees go? How deep is my or your virtue? We used to say in the old country that the true nature of someone truly comes out when life puts the squeeze on them. Maybe our Lord looked at his own disciples and wondered why they were even following him. This Lenten season let us all for an inner transformation that we be like the Father through and through.

I had a Jesuit friend of mine who put it beautifully. He works at a very high level at the chancellery. He said “you know, sometimes I wonder if these men (priests) are baptized Christians at all. We laughed and poured some more bourbon.

Here is a Lenten question for you? Is your faith skin deep? Is it for show? Here is how I know your virtue goes beyond that of the Pharisees and Scribes. I have seen you give without drawing attention to yourself. I have seen you go out of your way to say a kind word to someone. I have seen you be there for a friend in grief. I have seen you bite your tongue when that cousin got on your last nerve. You do these things because you are full of God.

Thursday February 26, 2026

Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds;

How have you been setting yourself up for success these days? I used to think that all I had to do was ask earnestly and things will fall in my lap. Well as you know, yes we ask and then we work very hard. For Grace builds on nature. We pray and work the program. Sometimes along the way it may seem that our efforts are not working and sometimes it is learning to accept that the answer is … not this time. We then shift and work on what seems to feel right or what is getting traction. The ability to shift or pivot has come in very handy in my life.

Today I want to remember all those who are praying for peace in their lives. It shall be given!!! Maybe sometimes it is given by us learning to let the drama queens and kings go. I pray for those seeking a partner in life, cast your net deeper and keep cultivating your own happiness. I pray for those who miss a loved one who has died, get out and go. Yes keep living no matter how difficult it has become.

I pray for you today my friend. Please remember me when you pray too.

Monday February 23, 2026

Matthew 25:31-46

‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.”

Some passages deserve comments while others we just have to sit with them. Sit with today’s passage and see yourself reflected in it. It’s not about church affiliation, not about religion. It is just about being a spiritual being who sees beyond the facade. Why would God be in prison, unhoused, or needing clothing? Because God’s favorite place to be is as close as He can be to his creation. Maybe heaven is separated from earth by the thinnest of membranes.

Be careful, you might bump into the divine before you leave your home.

Ash Wednesday February 18, 2026

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-28

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven.

Some 200 years after the death and resurrection of our Lord, the church got together to discuss a serious matter. By this time the celebration of Easter was very well established. Easter was celebrated for 50 days. Each of those 50 days of Easter until Pentecost was like one joyous day. So the church thought that given the importance of Easter we ought to have some days of preparation for it. It was decided that 3 days of preparation was adequate. And so Lent began. For 150 years we had 3 days of preparation, 3 days of intense prayer and fasting. Then in 350 AD. the church got together again and decided that 3 days was not enough. The period of Lent was extended to 40 days of preparation. 40 is another significant number in scripture. Jesus fasted for 40 days, the Israelites wandered for 40 years…

So since 350 AD we give ourselves 40 days of prayer, fasting and alms giving. Why are we doing this. These disciplines are not ends in themselves. They are vehicles to lead us somewhere. Using these vehicles we seek to RETURN to GOD. So if we are not returning by our disciplines the whole period becomes a joke. May I suggest a couple of things:

1. Say the Jesus Prayer. Lord Jesus Son of God have mercy on me a sinner. It is a simple prayer that brings us back to our breath. At the end of the day do the examination of conscious. This means stop before you lay down and see how the day went. Did you notice God.

2. Fast from gossip

3. Do acts of charity. Revisiting our giving to the church or your favorite charity is a good one too.

And make this a joyful lent!!!!!

Tuesday February 17, 2026

Mark 8:14-17

The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’

I hope you join us for evening mass tonight at 7pm. We begin our Lenten Journey with what we have called Fat Ash Tuesday. Springdale Presbyterian has use of the church tomorrow so we became creative with Fat Ash Tuesday. We have Mass and we eat cake.

This is a unique and holy year. Two religions will be in prayer at the very same time. This year Lent and Ramadan fall on the same days. 40 days of prayer and fasting. Two different reasons for prayer and fasting but for me what is more important is we are at prayer at the same time.

What are you bringing to prayer this year? What are you fasting from and how will you give alms/service? I want for you to make this a special one indeed. You are a beautiful soul and your beauty shines when you get closer and closer to SOURCE to GOD.

As the Lord says in today’s scripture. Keep your eyes open and don’t be pulled into “unnecessary quarrels.” Rise above the petty and see the big opportunities.

Friday February 13, 2025

Mark 7:35-37

Returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, right through the Decapolis region. And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him

Today I have the distinguished honor of burying my friend and sister Melissa Bridgewater Young. Being at her wake last night was difficult. Her body was laying there but her spirit filled the room. They were kids running around, a long line of friends paying their respects and every one feeling included. It was indeed a miracle. How can someone who is dead feel so alive? Then the scriptures came alive “the dead shall rise.” Something about her was rising, living on.

Today’s gospel passage in the land of Sidon they bring to the Lord one who could not speak. What stops from speaking? Are you overwhelmed with a guilt of some past sin that you can’t find your voice to tell of his mercy? Don’t you speak because you don’t know how to? Or have others told you to stop speaking. Jesus frees the spirit and frees the tongue. Find your own was of announcing that God is here. The world needs your story beautiful soul.

Thursday February 12, 2026

Mark 7:24-30

Jesus left Gennesaret and set out for the territory of Tyre. There he went into a house and did not want anyone to know he was there, but he could not pass unrecognized. A woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him straightaway and came and fell at his feet.

Our Lord is in a journey again in very unfriendly territory searching for the lost children of Israel. These are places where most preachers would not go because of one reason or another. But for him, every one and every place must be touched by the grace of God. I love what is happening with the ordinary folk in these places. They do not look at Jesus background as a son of a carpenter as an impediment. No these people give him a chance. In fact they recognize the hand of God at work in him. Today a woman brings to our Lord a tormented daughter. Please lay your hand on her and heal her.

Here is a thought for you. Wherever you end up today, can you ask of your soul this question: Why did God lead me here? Who in this place is in need of understanding? For wherever we are, God’s Grace is present! Amen

Monday February 9, 2026

Mark 6:53-56

Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was.

St. Mark tells the story of Jesus in a unique way. The Jesus of Mark is always on the move, he is an itchy boots Jesus. There is something urgent that he has to bring to the world. Today he visits Gennesaret a land filled with people who were thought to be judged and condemned. In this place he brings Good News, don’t listen to the haters, God loves you too.

The response of the people is remarkable. They see who is in their midst and bring the sick to him. These who were thought lost recognize the power of God among them. The religious experts will not see the hand of God in Jesus but the people will clearly see it.

Once I was talking to a woman who was stopped from doing ministry by her priest. She had a remarkable gift of healing but father was not too happy with this gift. It was disturbing the church. So I said to her, the people in need of healing will find you. You don’t need a healing group, you can quietly pray for someone in your house or their house. And like our Lord say “don’t tell anyone about this.” Find a way my dear friend of responding to His call with urgency.

Thursday February 5, 2026

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits.

One thing that you will notice in the gospel of Mark is that our Lord is always on the move. Today he invites his disciples to get moving too. I have heard that if you want something done, you are better off giving it to a busy person.

Jesus moves with purpose!! That purpose is to plant the kingdom of God by driving evil spirits out. These evil spirits have hid themselves around the people of God and Jesus wants them out so that the people of God experience peace.

What sort of spirits have been driven away from you? What sort of spirits try to fight their ways into your soul? This spiritual and physical revolution is ongoing my friends. Day in and day out we struggle with this or that. The demon of alcoholism has claimed many lives, the spirit of pride sometimes runs wild in our world. As you go about today planting seeds of joy, peace and understanding I want you to be aware too that the enemy is also planting division, pain and strife.

You have been given power my friend.

Friday January 30, 2026

Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know.

Someone wants told me that anything worth having takes time. How true this statement has been throughout my life. If only they had told me the rest of the story… it takes time, it takes trusting, it takes patience and maybe several attempts. The truth is, we do our part and wait. I don’t think I have figured out that yet. I struggle with waiting and yet my life has been about waiting. What am I waiting on now? Well we don’t have the time and space for me to tell you that.

This passage I think is directed to the early church. The disciples worked so hard to get the Jesus movement going and time and time again it seemed as if they were spinning their wheels. Nothing was going, in fact it was dying. Think of it. It is not until the time of Emperor Constantine (300 years after the seed is planted) that we see some real traction. But there was slow progress between the setbacks.

We live in a world of instant things. Everything should happen yesterday. Today we are reminded to have room in our life for mystery. God wants your hearts desires too and He is working on it. Your job is: Don’t spoil it, wait. Yes wait and pray!!!!

Thursday January 29, 2025

Mark 4:21-25

Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand?

Lord how did we ever survive 2020 and the isolation of the pandemic? I am tired of being inside this house and having the feeling of being stuck. Cold weather and snow is not my thing at all. Actually I can take the cold, but I can’t handle the feeling of being stuck in the house or not being able to go for a run. This weak, my spirit is connecting with the home bound. You my sisters and brothers are stronger than I ever thought.

Today’s scripture passage reminds me of our favorite childhood song: This little light of mine. Years ago we changed it up and sung: If your light don’t shine, please don’t put out mines…x3 let me shine, let me shine, let me shine.

We are invited today to let our light shine. God did not create space for us at this time in history to play or be small. He created us for a purpose. May you find that calling today and embrace it without being rambunctious.

They tell me that at the Jesuit motherhouse in Rome there is a statue of St Ignitius Loyola sending St Francis Xavier into the world saying “ite inflamante omnia” Go set the world ablaze!! But in pure Jesuit humor, they put the biggest fire extinguisher right next to the statue. You gotta know those who try to blow your fire off .

Much love and get me out of this house!!!