Posts by Fr. Maurice Emelu
Come to Me and Find Rest
Rest is often elusive in a world that lives from paycheck to paycheck. We chase after jobs, deadlines, ambitions, relationships, and bucket lists, only to find ourselves exhausted and yearning for something more. And yet, nestled within the Scripture is a profound invitation that promises what our souls desperately seek: “Come to me, all who…
Read MoreSeeking Spiritual Nourishment in a Distracted World
Being nosy can be more than just annoying. The nosy are quick to jump to conclusions and just as fast to spill information not meant for the public. They are often rumormongers, fishing for the latest news and craving the juiciest gossip. This behavior can lead to a loss of trust and respect, making others…
Read MoreCaring for the Poor
Caring for the less fortunate is a vital part of our faith. Bible teachings tell us that God expects us to care for the poor. We also learn that wealth or accomplishment requires responsible generosity and kindness to others. Moreover, God does not take injustice to the poor lightly. His expectation is for us to…
Read MoreSigns We Are Mirroring God’s Love
Matthew 5:48 is arguably the highest point of the teaching of the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). The context of this reading suggests it has to do with being perfect in our love for one another, the same way God…
Read MoreStaving off Vengeance
A conversation on Jesus’s teaching against vengeance and human way of retribution. Reading God’s Word in Scripture is inspiring. As often as I do, I’m filled with joy. It is a “lamp to my feet and light to my path” (Ps 119:105). In these words, I find not just comfort and inspiration, but also a…
Read MoreGive to God His Due
A conversation on making the right choice using the famous Jesus quote, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” In a close-knit West African village, a woman finds herself contemplating a divorce from her husband for various reasons. Divorce is a rarity in this village, and marriage is…
Read MoreWalking with Saint Justin: A Journey of Faith and Discovery
Step into the footsteps of Saint Justin the Martyr on June 1st. This day, we (Catholics), along with some mainstream Protestant churches, remember his life and teachings. Born around AD 100, Justin was a deacon and philosopher from a town now named Nablus. His life ended as a martyr during the reign of the Roman…
Read MoreDesiring Holiness of Life
Holiness. How does this word sound to you? Is it a term you understand? Or does it seem like a cliché, an unrealistic ideal, or something reserved only for those in monasteries or the religious and priests? Growing up, I used to identify holiness with monks and nuns wearing solemn-looking cassocks or habits. This imagery…
Read MoreThe Gospel’s Pruning: Christian Identity in Culture
The Council of Jerusalem marked a historic moment in the early Church’s attempt to grapple with the tension between divine truth and cultural traditions. The Council addressed a crucial question: can salvation be found outside Jewish law and customs? As narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 15, the conflict was not a mere…
Read MoreWomen, 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…
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