Posts by Fr. Maurice Emelu
Faith in the Bread of Life, the Eucharist
The seed of faith grows and deepens, and the Eucharist is the best food for such faith-deepening. This religious truth is the focus of today’s reflection. After the miracle of the feeding of five thousand (Jn 6:1-15, 24-35), the Lord Jesus Christ leaves the western shore of the sea of Galilea, also called the sea…
Read MoreRediscovering Intercession
I reflect on the need to rediscover the power of intercession in our spiritual and everyday lives. I am always fascinated by the sacrifices soldiers make for each other at the battlefront. They put their lives on the line to bring wounded comrades to safety, often carrying them on their shoulders amidst the whizzing sound…
Read MoreKnowledge is Power: Learning from St. Justin
Francis Bacon is a 16th century English philosopher, father of empiricism and the scientific method. In his argument against heresies, he defends divine intelligence, omniscience, and omnipotence by providing a famous line many people quote out of context. “For knowledge itself is a power whereby he [God] knoweth” (Meditationes Sacrae,1597. 71). Though some of his…
Read MoreUsing Stumbling Blocks as Stepping Stones
In today’s reflection, I inspire us to use stumbling blocks as stepping stones. Have you observed how trickles of water flow from rocks in a creek? The water follows different paths but merges into a spring, a lake, a river, or an ocean. For the most part, the water flows through rough and twisted tracks.…
Read MoreThree Mandates of Mercy
It must have been between the 20th and 25th of October 1936. Sister Maria Faustyna [Faustina] Kowalska was in and out of a hospital in Krakow, Poland, suffering the pains of a disease (probably tuberculosis). She received one of the series of messages about Divine Mercy. It was one of the decisive points in discerning…
Read MoreWitnessing to the Resurrection of Christ
Human response to events is complex. We observe, experience, make judgements and respond according to evaluations and convictions about these things. What one judges meaningful is what one could proudly and boldly transmit to others, be they families or friends. This process applies particularly to the transmission of the Good News of Christ since bearing…
Read MoreYou’re a Participant in the Mystery
We come to the holiest three days in the Church’s life. It is called the Triduum. Three main events are celebrated within these three days. They include the institution of the Most Holy Eucharist and, in our Catholic tradition, the Ministerial Priesthood (Holy Thursday); the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ (Good Friday); and the…
Read MoreLeading by Mercy
This reflection is on mercy as a crucial quality of a virtuous life. Let’s begin with you. I mean, you as you are and me as I am. Specifically, you and me as believers, we, as people, granted the grace of faith, people called in love to communion with our Creator. Is it because we…
Read MoreCertain Faith
Grace to you! Growing up as a boy, my dad told me many stories about the bravery of our ancestors. Those stories were meant to instill in me the courage to be part of a historical moment and culture. Many families, societies and countries have their stories. We celebrate historical figures. We celebrate our roots.…
Read MoreThe Kind of People Who Encounter Christ
On this feast of Epiphany, I reflect on the kind of people to whom God is made manifest. Epiphany is about the revelation of Christ beyond the shores of Bethlehem and Jerusalem to the whole world. The Church in the east call it the feast of theophany (manifestation of God). It equally signifies that Christ…
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