Posts by Fr. Maurice Emelu
God’s Authority Over the Created Order
Two themes emerge in my engagement with God’s Word today–the archetype of the Christian faith journey and the theological motif of God’s authority over the created order. In my book, Our Journey to God, I wrote extensively about the former, a thorough exploration of Abraham’s faith journey. In this reflection, I focus on the latter. Why…
Read MoreSix Biblical Tips on Succession Plan
Though a succession plan is crucial to the success of any business, must any person be chosen as a successor? The answer is no. There are many factors to consider when choosing a successor. First, prioritize prerequisite competencies and skills. Friendships and familial relationships should be at the bottom of the list.
Read MoreCall and Mission for the Imperfect
I don’t know about you, but I find comfort in the truth that God calls and chooses the imperfect for a spectacular mission. It’s like He knows we’re going to mess up, so He picks someone who makes mistakes. And then, instead of getting mad at us for messing up, He uses our flaws to…
Read MoreService Endures, Leading to Greatness
Service inspires a better future. For with service, there is no scarcity. There are limitless opportunities. If there is an ambition key to greatness, it is service of others. The 1946 Nobel Prize-winner Herman Hesse’s 1932 novella, Journey to the East, leaves an enduring lesson. It is about a sect, The League. Some members of the…
Read MoreOur Lady of the Holy Rosary
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary inspires us to reflect on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is adorned with roses, bearing the glory of God. Roses are one of the most beautiful flowers, a special gift of nature. All roses–from the white rose to the pink, yellow, sterling silver, and deep red–are…
Read MoreWay of Love: A Girl that Changed My Life
As a boy of fourteen years old, the life of one girl moved mine more than any other–showing me the way of love. The girl is Thérèse, from the little city of Lisieux in Calvados, France. She is popularly known as the Little Flower, Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. To her, I owe an early exposure to…
Read MoreWhy I Love Matthew
A reflection about an apostle, evangelist, and sinner– Saint Matthew–whose feast day we celebrate on September 21, will inspire a reader to see why I love Matthew. I love Matthew, the apostle, because he was a sinner. I love him because he was open to grace. It is also because the true message of salvation is…
Read MoreCuckoos and Covid-19: On Spiritual Vigilance
I remember the first time I ever heard about spiritual vigilance. It was a talk by a Catholic priest and I was in college. He said that spiritual vigilance is the practice of being awake and aware in every moment. “It’s being alert to what’s going on around you, both within yourself and without,” he…
Read MoreTo The Woman I Love So Much: Blessed Virgin Mary
To her I gaze, her face I behold Through the hills of Judea it’s told The path neither of maze nor daze Of hers humans find the smooth Grace terrace Of the plan the Triune bear Eternity ever for humans prepare The way to the Divine O human of you Grace design O Lady of…
Read MoreThe Eucharist, Life-Giving Bread
Christ’s gift of his body, the Eucharist, is the source and summit of the Christian life (CCC, nos. 10, 1324), for from it we have abundant life and reach the height of our spiritual life. Thus, in believing and living its grace, one lives forever. There is something rare about the teaching of Jesus in…
Read More