Grace to you!
 
As we come to the last day of the year before Advent, which is the beginning of the new year for the Church, it’s important to keep an eye on the promise.
 
Yesterday, we shared how some of the leaders and kingdoms in history used their positional authority to promote all sorts of evil in the world. We learned from biblical history how in the end, they became the losers.
 
Evil may have its hour. God carries the day. I believe in this both socially and in our individual lives. God has authority over all.
 
When I read the Book of Daniel chapter seven, I’m drawn by the final words describing the triumph of goodness, righteousness, amidst the field day of evil. Daniel describes one of his visions: “As I looked, this horn [referring to the horn from the fourth beast] made war with the saints, and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints received the kingdom” (Dn 7:21-22).  
 
Before this vision was shown to Daniel, Scripture tells us he was in anguish. Rightly so. No one of good conscience will see the field day of evil in its stark audacity in the world and not feel anguish. Sometimes, our anguish could stir the feeling of despair. That’s where the enemy of righteousness wants us to be. In addition, the devil wants us to be in fear and feel there is no hope.
 
Nonetheless, those of the promise know there is always hope. This hope is from the Lord; “The Ancient of Days”, through whom judgement is given and victory is worn on his throne, which makes a public spectacle of the arrogance of the demonic. The cross of the crucified Lord is that public spectacle. “He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.” (Col 2:15)
 
God is the Ancient of Days, and his Son the King of the Universe who has come so we may have the fullness of life (Jn 10:10). Christ will come again in glory and the final judgment over evil will be made.
 
As we begin Advent tomorrow, it’s an opportunity to open our hearts to Christ, our Hope and our Peace. May our hearts be a home fit for the Lord. As the Lord himself tells us: “Be vigilant” (Lk 21:36). 
 
Have a fruitful Advent.
 
Please keep connected with us as we walk through the daily reflections of Advent. Invite friends to sign-up too.
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 
[Saturday Week 34 A: Dn 7:15-27; Lk 21:34-36]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Grace to you!
 
From time to time, we hear stories that seem to suggest the triumph of evil over good. From the recent despicable stories of slave trade—yes you heard it right, slave trade—going on in Libya, to the threats of nuclear weapons in North Korea, etc., it seems evil has power over goodness.
 
Sometimes, rulers and kings will arise and claim supreme authority over everything else, including God. We have seen it in years past. We see that in many parts of the world also.
 
In moments like these, we need to remember God’s word and go back to history. History has a way of teaching us. History unveils the hidden truths that a shortsighted worldview hardly pays attention. 
 
Reading the Book of Daniel chapter 7, we notice a scary description of the boldness of evil. We notice the lies and brutality of evil and its claims to absolute power and control of everything. Animal figures, “four immense beasts”—one like a lion, another like a bear, the third like a leopard and the fourth, a more terrifying beast—were used to represent different kings who promoted evil and irreligion during those times in history.
 
Scholars, such as J. Gavigan, B. McCarthy, and T. B. McGovern (2005), suggest they include King Nebuchadnezzar (represented by the lion), the Medes empire as the bear, the Persian empire as the leopard and fourth include the Greek empire of Alexander the Great, followed by King Antiochus IV.
 
One familiar with history will see how those different Kings dared the authority of God as the sovereign Lord. At the time, it seemed evil would carry the day.
 
In our time such feelings may not be absent. People of good will may seem all hope is lost. Yet, before long we notice how evil is overcome by good. God has the ultimate answer.
 
Be assured of this, evil may have a field day for some time. In the final analysis, the Son of Justice will appear. All hope isn’t lost. We are better off if we keep an eye on the promise. You know what that means.   
 
The Lord himself will assure the followers during turbulent times: “Do not be afraid.” (Mt 14:27). “I am in charge. It is I. I am here.”
 
We talk more about this tomorrow.
 
Rest in the confidence of divine promise. Amen.
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 
[Friday Week 34 A: Dan 7:2-14; Lk 21:29-33]
 
 
 
 

Grace to you!
 
As we, in the United States, celebrate Thanksgiving, a national holiday, I wish all a Happy Thanksgiving.
 
It’s beautiful to be grateful for all the gifts we’ve received—freedom, opportunities, jobs, security, faith, friends, family and more importantly, the gift of our life.
 
Today is a special opportunity say THANK YOU. It's a day to count and celebrate our blessings. 
 
As we share our meals (the delicious turkey, potatoes and gravy), how about we look each other in the eye and be grateful for the gifts of one another?
 
A thank you to a parent, a spouse, a child, a friend, a relative, or a coworker on this day would be a wonderful gesture of Thanksgiving.
 
Ultimately, a “thank you Lord” to God, the giver of all beautiful gifts from the heavens, will be a homerun.
 
Thank you all my friends and family for being part of my life and story. Thanks for your love and prayers. Thank you for the feedbacks that have made me better at what I do. Thank you for supporting our ministry.
 
Thank you God for everything.
 
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu

Grace to you!
 
Reverence for the things of God shows in many ways. If you are a Catholic, you don’t need to travel far to observe it. Simply visit a church and stay in the back of the pews in a church where the Blessed Sacrament is (reposed). 
 
Observe how people walk in and out of the church. You could tell who is reverent and who isn’t.
 
Another example, observe priests celebrate Mass. Before long you could tell who is reverent and who is behaving as if performing a duty he isn’t passionate about.  
 
Piety is that virtue that expresses reverence and deep devotion for the things of God. You see it as people come to church, receive communion or handle things related to worship. You could tell it by how people keep their bible or handle sacred books.
 
Some may say it doesn’t matter how I treat things related to God. It doesn’t matter how I behave during Liturgy (worship). Some may say what is important is to have faith and be a good person. They forget that the level of our faith and commitment to God shows in the way we revere things related to God. 
 
For instance, if you truly believe in Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I suppose, it will shape the way you treat the Eucharist?

On our anthropological (human) level, if you believe in the sacredness of life, won’t it inform your decisions regarding life, from conception to natural death? If you believe that every person is created in the image and likeness of God, won't it manifest in reverence for the human person  irrespective of their race, sex or religion? Our reverence in worship overflows to reverence on the streets and at homes. 
 
May I give you an example from a story cast over 2200 years ago. It was about King Belshazzar who was the successor of King Nebuchadnezzar. He was so irreverent that he brought in the sacred cups and vessels used in the Jerusalem temple for worship and used them for his own party in his palace. By so doing, he blurred the line between the sacred and the worldly. He showed irreverence of the highest order. 
 
We read from the story that suddenly the “finger of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall in the palace of the king.” The writing declared the end of the reign of the king. Daniel, the reverent one, was the interpreter of the message. 
 
We are not to blur the line between what is sacred and our worldly concerns. Holy piety is a wonderful virtue. God and the things of God deserve our utmost reverence.
 
We learn from this story how not to be irreverent. Glorify God, honor and acknowledge Him, and “He will direct your paths” (Prov. 3:6)
 
God love you. God bless you. 
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[Wednesday Week 34 A: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Lk 21:12-19]
 
 

Grace to you! 
 
When Padre Pio (St. Pio of Pietrelcina) was alive, many people traveled to Pietrelcina, Italy in long queues to meet with the Saint. His ability to discern hidden thoughts and have a clarity concerning complexities around people’s lives marveled many. 
 
Among his gifts included what is called the “power of reading souls.” This isn’t to be confused with mind reading when, through some magical ploys and new age rituals, people claim mystic insights and knowledge into people’s minds. 
 
For Saint Pio, the clarity from God penetrates the hearts and reaches far deeper into the meaning of life. St. Pio was not the only one with this kind of gift. Many Saints, such as Ignatius of Loyola, Catherine of Siena, Anthony of Padua (of Lisbon), Francis Xavier, Teresa of Calcutta, etc., had similar gifts. There are many holy men and women today, some of whom I know who, from time to time, manifest the same discerning gift. 
 
You may wonder how this happens? First is that it is a gift. It’s one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God gives it to whom He pleases, depending on the need and the disposition of the receiver. 
 
It could manifest through purity of heart and spirit also. Events around us, and the deep thoughts of human hearts are not hidden from the Spirit of God. Sometimes, God reveals future things to his loved ones. In the prophesy of Amos, the prophet says that the Lord reveals what will happen to His prophet (Amos 3:7). The more spiritual we become, the clearer we see things and interpret reality in the light of the Spirit of God. 
 
Those who are in the Spirit do things that please God. They tend to have unique clarity about life and the world. They easily see things in the light of divine plan because the Spirit of God leads them. Discernment is difficult for many. However, those in the Spirit tend to have easier ways of discerning things and events.
 
Consider someone from the Old Testament, Daniel. We read he had the power of interpreting dreams, as well as the gifts of wisdom and vision. We learn from the Book of Daniel chapter two, how he was the only one to tell King Nebuchadnezzar of the dream the king had at night, as well as interpret the dream to him. None of the astronomers, seers and magicians of Babylon could do so.
 
When the news came to Daniel about the king’s frustrations and decision to execute his seers because they couldn’t tell him his dream when he asked them to do so, he prayed to God who revealed the dream to him.
 
Daniel’s first words to the king before he revealed and interpreted the king’s dream were insightful: “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery which the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…” (Dn 2:27-28). God reveals hidden things and the future if He pleases.
 
Do you want a clearer insight into the events around you, or better discernment regarding the future?  Closeness to God opens the spiritual eyes in ways more than you could ever know. 
 
Praying for the gift of discernment. Amen. 
 
God love you. God bless you. 
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[Tuesday Week 34 A: Dn 2:31-45; Lk 21:5-11]

Grace to you!
 
Daniel’s story in the Bible was one of those that fascinated me as a child. I loved listening to our K-2 religious teacher turn it into a melody: Daniel the wise…. Daniel the brave… Daniel a friend of Lions….
 
From the Book of Daniel chapter one, we are introduced to the four persons portrayed as models for bold faith-life. They are Daniel, Hananiah, Misha-el, and Azariah, from tribe of Judah.
 
We learn they were among the best of the best, chosen to be at the service of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (634-562 BC) who had conquered Judah. For their training, they would need to be properly fed on the King’s menu so they would look fresh, and lack nothing of needed nutrition. They must be physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually sound.
 
They were to be under the supervision of a “eunuch” (lets say he is a chef or steward), who must see to it they were well fed on the king’s menu. The menu included all sorts of delicious meat. Concerned that the meat may be contaminated with the Babylonian kind of rituals and worship, coupled with the fact that some of the animals may not be approved for food by their Jewish religion, the four boys asked to go vegan.
 
I was struck by their reasoning for choosing vegetables. They were concerned not to be spiritually contaminated. Or to put it another way, they were devoted to their faith so much so they would not like to make choices opposed to their inner yearnings, their rule of conscience and the laws of God.
 
One could argue about the this text. Biblical experts are engaged in that endless debate. Here, as consistent with our reflections, I see how it relates to my spiritual life and I hope yours too.
 
The simplicity and purity of heart informing the decision of these four boys inspire me.   Their childlike confidence in the providence of God, as well as their faithfulness to the Law is encouraging.
 
They were able to see the connection between spiritual health and health of the body. I also sense that health begins with spiritual health. When one is at peace with God and the rule of conscience, I mean well-formed conscience, you could perceive that inner peace reflected on the body as well.
 
Have you ever wondered why when people are depressed, or worried about something, it shows on their face? There seems to be a relationship between inner joy and facial countenance.
If you’ve ever taken a photo when you were worried, go back and look at that photo. You will notice how your worries may have affected your countenance.
 
When we are at peace, it shows. When we obey the laws of nature and the Law of God, there is that inner joy and tranquility from within. People seeing us may feel that joy and peace.
 
From Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah’s story, I learn that it is not necessarily a sumptuous meal that makes one wise, happy and peaceful. I agree that good food is a necessity. However, as the Lord says, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4, NRSV). As we eat healthy for the body, we feed the soul and spirit with the food of heaven also. Such is life to the fullest.
 
May we be nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist. Amen.
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 
[Monday Week 34 A: Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Lk 21:1-4]

Grace to you! 
 
From the First Book of Maccabees chapter six, we read the following story about King Antiochus: 
 
“As King Antiochus was traversing the inland provinces, he heard that in Persia there was a city called Elymais, famous for its wealth in silver and gold, and that its temple was very rich, containing gold helmets, breastplates, and weapons left there by Alexander, son of Philip, king of Macedon, the first king of the Greeks. He went therefore and tried to capture and pillage the city. But he could not do so, because his plan became known to the people of the city who rose up in battle against him.”
 
Before his attempt to raid Elymais, the greedy King Antiochus had invaded Judah. He usurped much of the land and property of the people. He equally defiled the temple in Jerusalem changing the name to the temple of Olympian Zeus. He turned the temple into a place for harlotry and brought into the temple many things that were considered abominable and defiling to the Jews. There were no limits to his greed. (Read 1 Maccabees 6 for some of these details).
 
The psychology of greed is so subtle that the greedy hardly see it. One may say, when I make one hundred thousand dollars, I will be set for life. When the person reaches the six figures, that person wants to make a million bucks. From a million to two, five… We suppose by making our dream seven figures, the desire to get more will stop. Actually, it increases even the more.
 
They say the law of having is increased by having. When is enough enough? No one agrees. The natural tendency is to want more and aspire for more. Wanting to acquire more isn’t bad. There is nothing wrong in wanting and working for the best for ourselves and for our family.
 
It becomes greed when we do not care if our ambition goes against justice and charity. When we step on others’ or trample on those on the way to our ambitious desires, that is greed in action. It is equally greedy when we want more and more of what we don’t need and hoard it to ourselves, only for our egoistic passions. It is greedy also when we destroy others because we think what they have or what they will get should be for us alone.
 
Greed is a terrible vice. In our traditional Catholic spirituality, it is numbered among one of the seven deadly sins. Though it is deadly, the temptation to greed itself seems natural to us.
 
Antiochus could not stop the greedy allures. He heard about any gold, he wanted it. Guess what? He paid for it in the end. 
 
No sooner had people from Elymais pushed him back, than he equally heard that Judah had revolted and forced his army in Judah to retreat. He suffered shock, became depressed, and finally died. He reached that point when his empire built on greedy ambitions could no longer hold together. 
 
The lesson here is that greed does not win us friends. It makes enemy. The greedy may be powerful and seem untouchable for some time. It won’t last because anyone who has suffered due to greed would someday revolt against that greed or it’s history. The pain greed causes individuals and society is huge. The pain caused by greed cries to heaven too.
 
Greed is one of the passcodes to an unhappy death. The greedy realize that at the time of death, they lose control of everything and all they forcefully or fraudulently took. At the dying moment, the greedy realize that nothing we have goes to the next world with us. We completely lose control of all the things we hoard. All of us will surrender to the powerful hand of death. The pain this causes the greedy at the moment of death is unbearable. 
 
We don’t need that pain. Detachment is key. Self-control is another. Keeping life simple is one of the ways to happiness. There is no need to burden the heart and the soul with too much stuff that does it no good. In the end we realize none of the material stuff we hoard follows us to the grave. 
 
I pray we find happiness, not in the material stuff we have, but in being human made in the image and likeness of God. 
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
 
[Saturday Week 33A: 1 Mc 6:1-13; Lk 20:27-40]