Posts by Fr. Maurice Emelu
Christmas Day Message: A Call to Be Messengers of Peace
Merry Christmas! It’s my delight to highlight one of the values precious to our community—being messengers of peace. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom God is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). With these words, the angels sang praises for the birth of Jesus. Our hearts are full of joy…
Read MoreWe’re in Communion with the Saints
November 1 is a special day when the Church celebrates All Saints, what used to be known as All Hallows Day. But, you might ask, do you mean Halloween? Not really, although they have the same root word, from Old English Hallow, which means the saints or the holy. For those in America, I suppose many…
Read MoreReclaiming Authentic Fatherhood
When many see objective values as relative relics, fatherhood is a target of ridicule. But if fatherhood loses its taste, it impacts every fabric of society. Today’s reflection draws from the life of Saint Thérèse (Theresa) of Lisieux. It refocuses attention on the role of strong and loving fathers in shaping the life of the…
Read MoreEverything in its Place, Orderliness
There is a saying that the secret to orderliness in home care is: “A place for everything, everything in its place.” Everything in the house has its right place. Whether it is the coffee maker or the cups, the plates or the trashcan, the bed and the dresser, the groceries and the milk in the…
Read MoreSaint Alphonsus Liguori: A Saint for All Times
Saints are trailblazers, and so is the one we celebrate today—Saint Alphonsus Liguori. It isn’t because they walk paths unknown. Instead, their lives are silent yet audacious witnesses of the life of Christ in everyday life. Their embrace of grace and its silent nudges is so rooted (incarnate) that it becomes the rose of anointed…
Read MoreMercy and Generosity Against Greed
Greed or mercy and generosity? Some people believe that being greedy leads to more success. However, when we look at the bigger picture, mercy and generosity are essential for a healthy society. They create a balance between giving and taking, preventing people from becoming too greedy or too selfish. True happiness does not come from…
Read MoreKnowledge is Power
The famous saying “Knowledge is Power” is attributed to Francis Bacon, a 16th-century English philosopher, and father of empiricism and the scientific method. The correct quote is “for knowledge itself is a power whereby he [God] knoweth” (Meditationes Sacrae,1597.71). It hints at the relationship between divine knowledge and the power to act. Besides objections to Bacon…
Read MoreGod’s Tabernacle
What if we allowed God to make us a home, a tabernacle where we will stay with him forever? Aren’t we all just looking for a place to call home? Somewhere we can feel safe and comfortable, where we can be ourselves? For me, that physical space is a church—its ultimate is the beatific vision.…
Read MoreHoliness of Life
Holiness of life; how does this phrase sound to you? A cliché? A never-realistic goal? A special reserve for the monks and nuns? On this day, after my dad’s passing yesterday, I draw from today’s Gospel to share some points about holiness. During my early days in spiritual life, I used to identify holiness with only…
Read MoreThe Healing Power of Faith
Mark’s Gospel (5: 21-43) presents two characters who leave us rich testimonies of the healing power of faith. They are Jarius and the woman suffering from hemorrhage. Therefore, I reflect on their witness as an inspiration to us. Let’s begin with the woman. Faith Comes by Hearing The woman suffers from a hemorrhage for over…
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