Posts by Fr. Maurice Emelu
Why the Path to Glory Always Includes Pain
I woke by 2:20am. I felt the voice of my body speaking, a soft ache and gentle protest in my muscles, echoes from yesterday’s 10-mile hike. My legs felt sore, my shoulders heavy, and yet, strangely, it felt good. Not the comfortable kind of good, but the kind that tells you something meaningful was endured.…
Read MorePope Francis: A Passing in Glory
Pope Francis came with a whisper, but his presence roared through our times. Rest in peace. Amen. I had just concluded my hours of prayer, the stillness that seeps deep into the soul. It was 4:20am EST, and I was about to shift into work mode—research paper open, books stacked like quiet sentinels on my…
Read MoreEaster Message: A Jubilee Reflection on the Power of Hope
It was still dark when Mary Magdalene walked to the tomb. It was not just the dimness of early morning but the kind of darkness overwhelming a grieving soul. Jesus had been crucified—hope, as she knew it, lay buried behind a heavy stone. But then, she saw. The stone had been rolled away. Easter begins…
Read MoreThe Spirituality of Feedback
A wise teacher said: “Every mark on your draft is a gift.” When I first heard this, it felt like an attempt to soften the blow of a heavily annotated manuscript. But over the years, I’ve seen the truth in those words. Genuine, honest, generous feedback is not a correction of who we are. It…
Read MoreFrom Hosanna to the Cross: A Journey of Love
It began with joyful noise—hosanna—along those ancient streets where thousands now walk on pilgrimage. Palms waved. Cloaks were spread along the dusty road. Women and men chanted praises. Children played, ran, giggled, and reached out to touch what felt like glory passing by. The cries of “Hosanna! Blessed is the King!” filled the air as…
Read MoreSacred Geometry and the Symbolism of Numbers
I stood like a dwarfed creature in the middle of the giant sequoias in California some months ago, watching the late sun throw golden shapes onto the woods. The impressive trees stood tall with elegant pride. And then it hit me—how orderly the world feels when we stop to observe it. Not just emotionally or…
Read MoreGod Removes Our Shame
As I sat with the Word of God this Fourth Sunday of Lent, preparing for Mass, I came face to face with something I couldn’t ignore—the radical compassion of God. It leapt from the pages and found me. I saw it first in Joshua 5:9, where the Lord says to Joshua, “Today I have removed…
Read MoreI AM: Finding Purpose in Doing One’s Task
After my early morning hours of encounter—praying the Rosary and sitting in the quiet glow of Adoration—I turn to Sacred Scripture. It’s Sunday, the Lord’s Day, and I feel drawn to linger longer in reflection. Today, I revisit my homily, which I began preparing a few days ago. Before I can speak the good news…
Read MoreA Newfound Insight on Prayer as Intimacy
Prayer takes many forms, and we appreciate it in many ways. We may see it as communication with God, a simple conversation with our Creator, a surge of the soul to God, or a deeper dialogue that reflects our relationship with the Lord. Each perspective emphasizes various aspects of prayer. Recently, I discovered a deeper…
Read MoreTrue Friendship
What defines a true friend? The following is a biblical perspective from the Book of Sirach, chapter 6. When I was younger, I didn’t think much about this question. Life as a child, teenager, or young adult offers endless growth and learning opportunities. What excites us now often becomes trivial later. As we grow,…
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