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Rollie's Word with Fr. Roland Bunda

Rollie's Word with Fr. Roland Bunda

By Fr. Roland Bunda

Weekly inspiration from Fr. Roland Bunda, SM, Marianist priest and former pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaiʻi. Join him weekly, as he shares his thoughts and reflections during his 2021-2022 sabbatical.
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Reflection for Holy Week

Rollie's Word with Fr. Roland BundaApr 06, 2020

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08:46
The Passion and the Cross

The Passion and the Cross

Season 3, Episode 18. From the time Jesus left the last supper, He was put to the test. He went through his passion, absorbing the sins of all of us, He gave us an example of what it means to suffer and to carry the cross. He wants to follow Him in his passion and passivity. Jesus does not resort to anger or bitterness. He is very peaceful, compassionate, and loving.

Apr 04, 202206:20
Universal Call to Holiness

Universal Call to Holiness

Season 3, Episode 17. What are the gifts that God has given to each of us and how do we use our gifts to build up His kingdom? No just the priests, bishops, and pope, but all of us are commissioned by Christ to be a prophet and speak God’s word. These prophetic words are not our own, but the loving and caring Words of God. Prophecy is hearing the Word of God, and preaching the Word of God.

Mar 23, 202207:17
Faithful like St. Joseph

Faithful like St. Joseph

Season 3, Episode 16. March 19 is the feast of St. Joseph. Joseph is a man of faith. But if you look at his life, he lived through a lot of tension and anxiety. But he trusted in God’s providence and God’s ways. And he is a great example of what it means to live by faith. During Lent, may we deepen our faith like St. Joseph.

Mar 20, 202206:18
Follow Christ through Temptation

Follow Christ through Temptation

Season 3, Episode 15. Throughout our lives we encounter many temptations, but because of our love and faith in Christ, we are able to follow Jesus and overcome temptations. And we can overcome through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. To pray and be truly present with God, to fast and deny ourselves to God, and to give alms by caring for and loving others.

Mar 08, 202206:38
Finding the Right Person to Guide Us

Finding the Right Person to Guide Us

Season 3, Episode 14. Can a blind person guide another blind person? We should find people who lead us on the right path to salvation. Find a spiritual guide that we can communicate with us and help us on our spiritual journey.

Feb 28, 202207:20
Becoming Divine

Becoming Divine

Season 3, Episode 13. Jesus is asking us to forgive just as the Father has forgiven us - for the Lord is merciful and kind. Being a Christian or follower of Jesus - we are on the way, on the path, of following the Lord. Because of Christ’s life, suffering, death, and resurrection, he has given us the power to forgive and to act divinely.

Feb 21, 202207:08
Persevering to Become Complete

Persevering to Become Complete

Season 3, Episode 12. Are you willing to bear serenely the trial of being displeasing to yourself? Despite any difficulties, any trials, can you be a dwelling place or shelter for Jesus? The testing of your faith produces perseverance, so you can be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. We must accept life as it happens to us.

Feb 14, 202207:29
God Loves You as Yourself

God Loves You as Yourself

Season 3, Episode 11. When God’s grace invades a person, the person realizes their sinfulness in the presence of God.  The holiness of God’s presences allows us to reflect on our lives so that we may be saved. We must know that we are loved by God no matter what. And when we accept this, we acknowledge that we are sinful, yet still worthy of God’s love.

Feb 07, 202207:36
Gifts to Share

Gifts to Share

Season 3, Episode 10. Though we are given many gifts and blessings - they are not meant for us. They are meant to pass through us and to enhance others and that through us, God can bring joy and peace to others. Our gifts are to share with others.

Jan 31, 202206:43
Giving Thanks for Our Gifts

Giving Thanks for Our Gifts

Season 3, Episode 9. We are called to live out our vocation. All of us have gifts to build up the kingdom of God. Do we recognize the gifts God has given each one of us? Let us pray for awareness of our gifts so we may use them to proclaim God’s kingdom. 

Jan 25, 202207:11
The Wedding

The Wedding

Season 3, Episode 8. Jesus is the union between divinity and humanity. When God intervenes and is present - He is not stingy. He not only provides “good wine,” but blesses us with His presence in our lives. Let us be in union and communion with God and that as we listen to Jesus, that God’s word bring an effulgence of life within us.

Jan 17, 202207:39
Our Baptism

Our Baptism

Season 3, Episode 7. Aloha from San Antonio, Texas! This week we reflect on our baptism - the most important day of our Christian lives (aside from being born!). We belong to our God. We share in the divine life of God and one day all of us will be united in the Kingdom of God.

Jan 10, 202207:02
Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Season 3, Episode 6. As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, we will be in presence of royalty - Jesus the King. In place of gold, let us honor Him as our King. In place of frankincense, let us offer Him praise. And in place of myrrh, let us offer ourselves in body and soul along with our sorrows, joys, and hardships. As we look forward to this new year, let us say, “Jesus, you are our King our Lord and Savior, may these gifts honor and glorify You.”

Jan 03, 202207:15
Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Season 3, Episode 5. Wishing you joy in the simple things, and peace in the quiet places where you pray and meditate. And wishing you a peaceful, hopeful season, that leaves all of you feeling simply blessed.

Dec 26, 202106:40
Bringing Jesus to Each Other

Bringing Jesus to Each Other

Season 3, Episode 4. Every time we greet one another, we bring the Spirit of Jesus to each other. The beauty of when we visit one another, it’s like the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth - when we get together, we bring joy to others. We did this in the past, and we do it even in the present.

Dec 21, 202106:22
Rejoice!

Rejoice!

Season 3, Episode 3. When we center our lives on Christ, we can endure the sufferings and prosperity that the Lord gives us, not only throughout the year, but each and every day. We can rejoice that Jesus is near and can ease our anxieties.

Dec 14, 202106:03
Metanoia - Changing the Mind

Metanoia - Changing the Mind

Season 3, Episode 2. Look at your lives and observe what are the obstacles that are preventing Christ in our lives? How are we preparing to receive Christ in our lives? Let us reflect and meditate and prepare for the coming of Christmas. And as we prepare, let us remember that we are eager to celebrate an event that has changed EVERYTHING and gives us new hope - the birth of baby Jesus.

Dec 11, 202106:31
Happy Advent!

Happy Advent!

Season 3, Episode 1. Happy Advent! Today we begin the new season (Season 3!) of Fr. Rollie’s podcast!

We are called to open up our hearts and our minds to Christ’s living presence, and we do so when we participate in the Eucharist and when we welcome one another in our lives. We can use the sacrament of reconciliation to help us root out the obstacles in our lives that prevent us from living fully the Christ life of our God. During this Advent, let us spend some quality and intentional time to reflect and pray in the coming feast of this Christmas.

This season is a great time to reach out to others and bring the light to those who live in darkness.

Nov 30, 202107:05
Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Kingdom Come

Season 2, Episode 47. Jesus’ kingdom is full of love and acceptance. Can we embrace one another? Let us be a sanctuary for one another. A place of kindness, inclusion, acceptance, and forgiveness for others. So this feast of Christ the King - let us remember that Jesus needs to be the King of our hearts. Let us help each other increase our faith in Jesus Christ in the Catholic church.

Nov 23, 202106:43
God Renews Us in Crisis and Transforms Us

God Renews Us in Crisis and Transforms Us

Season 2, Episode 46. Welcome back, Fr. Rollie! After a 2-week pilgrimage to Rome, Fr. Rollie is back to share his message for this week. Sometimes in our lives, we experience difficulties or terrible times, but this weekʻs readings remind us that we need to trust in God because He sends people in our lives to encourage us and help us along the way. Likewise, we are sometimes called by God to help others and lead them on their way to Him.

Nov 08, 202106:53
Being a Servant Leader

Being a Servant Leader

Season 2, Episode 45. In the kingdom of God, we are called to serve, not to be served. Jesus shows us that to be great in God’s kingdom we need to be a servant of the people. Let us serve others who need our help and who need our assistance.

Oct 18, 202106:29
Come Follow Me

Come Follow Me

Season 2, Episode 44. Jesus calls us to follow Him, and those who follow Him are enriched. Let us make a daily commitment to follow Christ, model His example,a and preach God’s Word.

Oct 12, 202108:02
The Christian Family

The Christian Family

Season 2, Episode 43. The biblical view of marriage is that we belong together, we are community, rather than individuals. Adam and Eve are co-equals, and the two become one flesh and the intimate relationship or friendship is in marriage. When the two are in union and communion in friendship. And the fruits of this communion are the children. Together we form a community. Let us thank God for families that we can continue to be examples to others on what it means to form a community of love, to fall in love, and to create the love that God has given us and to share this love with others.

Oct 04, 202105:42
Reach Out to Others

Reach Out to Others

Season 2, Episode 42. We are given the grace, like Jesus, to extend beyond our borders of our own closed myopic world view. And we are called, like Jesus, to overcome our envy and jealousy and reach out to others and the poor. Let us serve others.

Sep 28, 202106:34
Bringing About Harmony and Peace

Bringing About Harmony and Peace

Season 2, Episode 41. Love is wishing, desiring, the good welfare of others. It is the opposite of envy, anger, and ambition. Loving the lowest person in the social order is an instrument for us to practice charity and reaching out to others. Let us love one another, enjoy the present moment, and be grateful and thankful for the blessings we have received from God.

Sep 20, 202107:47
Open Our Ears

Open Our Ears

Season 2, Episode 40. We as Christians, are called to evangelize and speak God’s Word. We need to help people open their ears to hear God’s Word so that others may experience God’s divine energy.  Next week Fr. Roland will be on break - we'll be back the following week!

Sep 06, 202106:34
God’s Statutes and Decrees

God’s Statutes and Decrees

Season 2, Episode 39.  God’s law is the rule or guidepost on the road to Holiness. And Jesus is the Word of God, the love incarnate, who has come to teach us the ways of God, the ways of holiness, and the ways that bring about life. The Word of God brings life.

Aug 30, 202106:37
Receiving Jesus

Receiving Jesus

Season 2, Episode 38. We welcome back Fr. Rollie from his retreat at St. St. Meinrad's monastery in Indiana. In this week’s podcast we reflect: The Eucharist is the center of Christian life. It is in our life that we find the real presence of Jesus through the Eucharist we receive every Sunday. Through our faith, we will be sustained with the divine life of Jesus. We celebrate the Eucharist, not just as a symbol, but as the real body of Christ.  The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life.

Aug 24, 202106:59
Seeking Strength in God

Seeking Strength in God

Season 2, Episode 37. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. When we participate in the Mass, we are strengthen in life like Elijah in his journeys.

Aug 10, 202106:46
In God We Will Be Filled

In God We Will Be Filled

Season 2, Episode 36. The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. We are called to deepen our union and communion with Jesus in the Eucharist. Our hearts are longing and yearning for God and will not rest until it rests in God.

Aug 02, 202107:59
Jesus Feeds Us

Jesus Feeds Us

Season 2, Episode 35. Jesus feeds everyone who comes to the eucharistic table. And with the little that we have, we offer up to Jesus. He will transform it into something that feeds us. This week, let us reflect on John’s gospel, chapter 6, and how he talks about the eucharist. Let us see the eucharist through the eyes of faith and thank God for the many gifts he gives us.

Jul 25, 202107:27
God Will Tend His Sheep

God Will Tend His Sheep

Season 2, Episode 34. Jesus will shepherd His people. Jesusʻ words, as shepherd, is extended through the centuries. The shepherd is not only present among the people, but is also the head of the people, and behind of the people. He is the pastor, the parishioner, and the servant. We are all called to be shepherds, like Jesus, and leaders within the church.

Jul 19, 202106:28
All Are Called by God

All Are Called by God

Season 2, Episode 33. We, as ordinary people, we are called to be prophets and speak God’s Word publicly to others. As people of faith and prayer, we have the basic “ingredients” to speak God’s Word to others - we have faith. We can bless people - we can bless ourselves and bless others. And as much as we can, we should give reasons for hope in our faith. We preach Jesus crucified and hope of the resurrection. Through prayer and communion we can deepen our Christian life and hear God’s call.

Jul 14, 202108:24
With Joyful Hearts

With Joyful Hearts

Season 2, Episode 32. How do you feel about Holy joy? What would it mean to you? Holy joy is associated with gratitude, and gratitude is at the heart of prayer. It is so important to be grateful to God for His many blessings. As Christians we can be thankful for the freedoms we have received in Christ. This week, let us reflect and experience the Holy joy that was promised in the Sunday readings.

Jul 07, 202106:31
All In God’s Time

All In God’s Time

Season 2, Episode 31. After 14 years, Fr. Rollie left St. Anthony Maui and is going on a 1 year sabbatical adventure. And like this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we need to have trust in God. There will be times when we feel like things aren’t going our way, but we’re reminded that even though things aren’t happening on our time, it is always happening on God’s time. Let us trust in the Lord - for He is good all the time.

Jul 03, 202106:56
A Lesson from Job

A Lesson from Job

Season 2, Episode 30.  How do we interpret the suffering in our lives?  We sit and reflect - God’s will be done.  We do not know God’s plans; we are just one person in the whole universe, and we play just one part of His creation.  When we experience hardships or when we suffer, we should continue to praise God because He is in control.  Let us trust God in our lives, and have faith in the providence of God.  He will walk with us in the good times and the bad times because He is always present in our lives.

Jun 22, 202106:49
Godʻs Kingdom will Endure

Godʻs Kingdom will Endure

Season 2, Episode 29. Though things have changed, and will change, Godʻs kingdom will last forever. As people of faith, we are called to promote and extend the kingdom of God. Jesus is all divine; He because human, so all of us can become divine. God is with us until the end of time.

Jun 15, 202106:34
Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi

Season 2, Episode 28. This feast is a tremendous opportunity for us to reflect on our connectedness with Jesus’ body and blood. Jesus promised to be present in the bread and cup of our eucharist, and so as we receive the eucharist we prepare each week to live out the gospel and thank God for living, as one, the spirit of Jesus.

Jun 09, 202105:28
Reflecting on the Trinity

Reflecting on the Trinity

Season 2, Episode 27. God is mystery, all transcendent, all powerful, all knowing, and omnipotent. And yet He always acts on behalf His people. Rather than trying to define the Trinity, we should live the mystery of the Trinity. Our God is Trinity. Our God is community. And our bond with God is one of love. Look with the eyes of faith, and love God for who He is.

Jun 01, 202106:44
Celebrating the Gift of the Spirit

Celebrating the Gift of the Spirit

Season 2, Episode 26.  Today, the day after Pentecost, we celebrate the Feast of Mary the Mother of the Church.  Mary was chosen to be the spouse of the Holy Spirit and cooperated in the saving mission of Christ.  We must be keenly aware of the actions of the Holy Spirit.  As we honor Mary, we can have Mary as our model in prayer, like the disciples, who received the Holy Spirit.  We pray to Mother Mary: take us under your protection, but open us to the action of the Holy Spirit.

May 25, 202106:18
 Go Forth

Go Forth

Season2, Episode 25.  Jesus asks us to go into the world and spread the Good News.  Our calling is to look into the world and into each other and proclaim the Gospel.  As we undertake our journey, we’ll come across we’ll experience different transitions.  And it is through these transitions we must persevere as Christians and disciples of Christ and be living witnesses of the Gospel, and spread our love for one another.

May 18, 202107:13
Participate in God’s Love

Participate in God’s Love

Season 2, Episode 24.  The primacy is love.  We love God because God has loved us first.  Our response to God’s love is to love one another.  There are many ways we can show the love of others.  Like our mothers, they give so much of themselves with love and compassion as they raise children.  And like St. Damien, who is a model of the love, compassion, and forgiveness we must have for each other, especially for those whom we consider marginalized and unwanted.  And like the love in a relationship between parents and children.  Love one another.

May 10, 202106:38
Abide in Him

Abide in Him

Season 2, Episode 23.  Jesus wants to come and transform our lives.  How do we abide in Christ?  We need to be conscious that Christ lives in each one of us and do our best to imitate Him.  Jesus is a friend.  Jesus is a healer.  Jesus is an evangelizer.  Jesus promises to be with us all the days of our lives.  We can meditate on John’s Gospel chapters 15-18: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/0


May 03, 202106:31
Listen to the Voice of the Shepherd

Listen to the Voice of the Shepherd

Season 2, Episode 22.  During this Easter season, we can reflect on our own baptism and how we are all beloved sons and daughters of God and spend time listening to the voice of Jesus our Shepherd.  Through the bible, meditation, or through a friend or others who may challenge us.  We are all part of His flock and all of us are called to express to others the love of God and to continue to evangelize and to be aware of and invite others into the fold.

Apr 27, 202107:05
The Ressurection

The Ressurection

Season 2, Episode 21.  Jesus is fo’real!  He’s not a ghost or a part of our imagination.  He is flesh and blood.  He reminds us that everything that was written in the scriptures was written about Him for He is the Lord. We are thankful to God for the gift of the Eucharist - where we are blessed with the presence of Jesus’s body and blood.  Let us rejoice for today is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad! 

Apr 19, 202107:01
 Jesus is the Light of the World

Jesus is the Light of the World

Season 2, Episode 20.  The victory that conquers the world is our faith.  And just as the apostles are sent after experiencing the Risen Lord, so we, too, having experienced Easter and Jesus in our lives, should go and spread the light of God to the world.  Let us meditate on the scriptures and deepen our understanding of the new life Jesus has given us.  

Apr 13, 202106:35
Celebrating Our Life in Christ

Celebrating Our Life in Christ

Season 2, Episode 19.  Jesus is risen, and now we are charged to go and spread the Good News.  We are called as disciples to proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  And this Easter season is our time to reflect and return to our baptism where we renew the baptismal promises we made to Jesus.

Apr 05, 202105:06
Stay with Jesus

Stay with Jesus

Season 2, Episode 18.  Are we willing to stay with Jesus in his suffering and his death?  Or will we run away and flee, leaving Jesus (and our baptismal promises) behind?  We must be willing to be with Christ so we can experience resurrection, and so that we, too, may give of ourselves to help others on this journey towards eternal and resurrected life.

Mar 30, 202107:26
Our Covenant with God

Our Covenant with God

Season 2, Episode 17.    Our relationship is sealed through the covenant with the Body and Blood of Christ.  So when we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we are intimately united with our Lord.  Jesus is the new covenant.

Mar 22, 202106:52
The Gift

The Gift

Season 2, Episode 16.  We who are Christians and believers of Christ have the gift of eternal life.  Jesus is the light of the world and brings His light into our darkness.  The Son of Man lifted up from the world and brought about life.  Jesus died for our sake to bring us salvation and eternal life.


Mar 15, 202105:33