Posts by Fr. Maurice Emelu
A Life-Changing Christmas Moment
It was a quiet Christmas morning, one of those days when the world feels still like it’s holding its breath. I was 17 years old, serving at the bishop’s residence in the small town of Orlu, Nigeria. Orlu, in the warm eastern part of the country, is a place where smiles are easy, voices are…
Read MoreThe Feast of Christ the King: Its History and Significance
The Feast of Christ the King is a pivotal celebration in the Church. It prioritizes Christ’s universal kingship. Reflecting on its historical background deepens our connection to this solemn feast and centers us on our spiritual core. In this article, I set my thoughts against a turbulent yet pivotal time when Pope Pius XI established…
Read MoreOn the Gift of Wisdom
A reflection on the gift of wisdom and its relevance to setting the right priorities. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where everything feels complicated, and no matter how hard you try, the solution seems elusive? I’ve been there, feeling lost at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take. In moments like…
Read MoreRadical Generosity: A Story of Unfamiliar Grace
It’s not just about giving, but about giving in a way that challenges societal norms and personal comfort, inspired by the radical generosity of God. She is well-loved but often judged as being naive. Her generosity—details I won’t provide here—shocks family and friends. Many of her friends believe she allows herself to be taken advantage…
Read MoreDo Good Anyway
A meditation on how to handle envy while staying true to a righteous path. You walk into a clean home or hop into an impeccably neat car that smells fresh. Everything seems perfectly in place—no dust or dirt, just perfect order. At that moment, perhaps without even realizing it, you reflect on your surroundings—your car,…
Read MoreLiving Faith: A Call to Listening and Action
Think about when someone’s gesture of love or care was helpful when you needed it most. How did you feel about it? I have had many of those moments, and one often comes to mind. It happened when I was a kid. Someone I least expected showed me an act of love and sacrifice, defending…
Read MoreIn Need of Saving Grace and Freedom
A conversation on freedom, healing, and the power of touch. Hospitals often reveal our human needs. Within their walls, we witness firsthand our vulnerabilities. The strong and the weak, the wealthy and the poor, white and black, all share the same fate. We lie on uncomfortable beds, moved about in ways we might not have…
Read MoreThe Eucharist and Life, Part II
Let’s continue our discussion on the Eucharist as a source of life. In other words, life in the Eucharist. We’ve seen that in the New Testament, life is often understood as a profound, spiritual state of being that transcends mere physical existence and is closely linked to heavenly realities. How do these concepts relate to…
Read MoreThe Eucharist and Life
This conversation is on the understanding of the Eucharist as life. Earlier, I discussed the profound meaning of the Eucharist as the bread of life. I left the reader with a question: What does it mean to have faith in Jesus as the bread of life? What is life? As we delve deeper into this…
Read MoreThe Eucharist as the Bread of Life
A conversation on Jesus, and the Eucharist, as the bread of life The events across many parts of the USA following the hurricane in early August 2024 prompted me to reconsider my appreciation for a humble staple: bread. Bread has never been my go-to food, yet each time I indulge, it tastes surprisingly delightful. However,…
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