Posts by Fr. Maurice Emelu
Women, Galilee, and Resurrection’s Call
When the Risen Lord showed himself, according to Matthew’s Gospel, two women saw him first. Next, Jesus invites the women to extend the invitation to his disciples to come to Galilee, where his close friends would see him. Back then, people didn’t think much of women or Galilee. But in these unexpected choices, we find…
Read MoreWhy Envy is Terrible and Counterproductive
Envy, that insidious serpent of spite, sneaks through humanity’s footsteps from time immemorial, leaving venomous trails of destruction and deceit. Biblical stories—pillars of moral teachings—exemplify the perils of envy. We see the perils in the accounts of Joseph’s ordeal and the parable of the tenants who murdered the vineyard owner’s son. These tales aren’t just…
Read MoreThe Messenger and Tradition
Reflecting on the relationship between a messenger and tradition is pertinent to the current state of missionary work. Mark 6:7-13 describes the Lord sending his apostles to bear witness. The essence of being “One Sent”, a messenger, embodies deep-rooted faith, tradition, and a clear sense of purpose and direction. The true might of the messengers’…
Read MoreGod Bless You: A Conversation on Blessing
As we begin the new year 2024, I pray and wish you God’s blessing. We experience blessings in different forms. They range from the daily small things to the grandeur of God’s presence in our midst. However, have you ever thought about what the concept of blessing means? How can we truly experience God’s blessings…
Read MoreGod is My Judge
I reflect on the biblical prophecy of the beast and its relevance in today’s society, highlighting the various forms it takes. A concerned person shared with me some terrible news about a new ideology that has crept into his organization. It was anything but decent. He explained: They use the holy name in a lurid…
Read MoreWhat, then, does it mean to be a Saint Today?
In the first and second part of this three-part reflection on being a saint, I introduced the concept of “saints” and the holy. This third part applies the two teachings to the invitation for us to be saints in today’s world. In what ways can we then describe being a saint in today’s world? In…
Read MoreWhat Does It Mean to Be Holy?
In the first part of this three-part series titled “A Saint Today,” I delved into the idea that living a saintly life means communion with God. I draw a similar sentiment in the exploration of the concept of holiness. To be sure, the term “holy” has a more complex meaning in the Bible than the…
Read MoreA Saint Today
What does it mean to be a saint in today’s world? How can we better understand the qualities that make someone saintly? On this special day, when we honor all saints, let’s explore these questions together. Firstly, happy Feast Day to you, a member of the Communion of Saints. May today’s blessings inspire us to…
Read MoreCultivating Christ’s Attitude
As we embark on this spiritual journey, let’s consider a profound question that serves as our compass: How can we internalize and reflect the Scripture’s call to “Have the same attitude that was in Christ Jesus”? How can we walk in Christ’s footsteps, as depicted in Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians? These questions form…
Read MoreGlorious Sleep: On Death and Dying
The specter of death looms large in our lives. For many, it is an unwelcome guest at the table of our existence. It’s a reality as inevitable as the setting sun, casting long shadows of fear and reminiscence. Death, more certain than the fortunes of nations, is a subject we often tiptoe around, despite its…
Read More