Posts by Fr. Maurice Emelu
Judgment
Biblical depiction of judgment in the prophecy of Jonah 3:1-10 and Luke 11:29-31 provides us with a powerful idea worth spreading. It is the project of today’s reflection. The message is about God, who is concerned that the sinful people of Nineveh would perish and sends a prophet to warn them (Jonah 3:1-10). It is…
Read MorePersevere even if not Affirmed
Today’s reflection concerns a Christian response when expected affirmation isn’t forthcoming. I draw from the Blessed Lord’s rejection by his relatives in Nazareth and highlight perseverance (Hebrew 12:4-7, 11-14). Finally, we learn that even when we don’t receive the affirmation we think we deserve, the Lord uses everything to train us. Consequently, we receive the…
Read MoreNew Year Message: Thank You
Merry Christmas, a grace-filled New Year, and a blessed celebration of Mary the Mother of God! As we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the holy Mother of God, I wish you God’s special grace flowing from this feast. In a previous article of December 28, I wrote on what the Solemnity of Mary the Mother…
Read MoreOn the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God
Merry Christmas, a grace-filled New Year, and a blessed celebration of Mary the Mother of God! On the eighth day of Christmas, the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of Mary, the holy Mother of God. Hence, this article is on the role of the Blessed Mary as an excellent model for living our God-given mission.…
Read MoreChristmas 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…
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