Grace to you!
 
The Gospel of Matthew 7:21-23 documents one of the Lord's scariest warmings to believers. The Lord Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Mt 7:21).
 
If anyone has doubts as to the limits of faith-alone (sola fide) claims, this very word of Jesus settles it. Making a profession in Christ is another way of saying faith in Christ. One may profess in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but this, the Lord Jesus says, isn't enough.
 
For us not to make light what the Lord meant, he doubles down with a sterner emphasis. "On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers" (Mt 7:22-23).
 
This statement has a lot of implications. To be sure, doing God's will begins with faith, believing in the one he sent—Christ (Jn 6:29). It deepens to keeping his commandment (Jn 14:15), the real proof of the faith, and much more, love. It is love which endures (1 Cor 13:7), the greatest, even over faith and hope (1 Cor 13:13). 
 
In other words, it is faith in charity. Faith has to be matched with action. The Letter of James was spot-on when it writes: "So faith by itself if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith" (Jas 2:17-18). 
 
 
It can't get any clearer than the above.
 
Secondly, the Lord's warning is a clear message to many who are gifted to do "mighty" works in God's name. Often, we get carried away by our so-called successes in the ministry. We begin to ignore our personal spiritual life and the call to holiness. We ignore sound spiritual and moral life basking in the euphoria: "After all, God is doing his work despite me."
 
The scandals that destroy the innocence of many churches and cause bad public image for the Body of Christ, the Church, are often due to the neglect of the commitment to holiness of life. Firm resolve and commitments to the call to holiness must precede and nurture the use of our gifts. Ignore this, and we become dulled in conscience and neglect the need to practice what we preach.
 
Yes, God blesses his people with healings, miracles, growth of church membership and finances, massive infrastructure, and thousands of followers on social media. But these do not equate the life of holiness. Holiness trumps them all. God blesses his people not because of us but in spite of us. In doing God's work, may we not be mere conduits. May we benefit too from the graces of our ministry. May we be sanctified, also, as we lead others.
 
We have to be vigilant not to get carried away and lose sight of our primary vocation to holiness and love. It is another way of saying, "Doing the will of God." Scripture tells us to be doers of the word and not only hearers, so we don't deceive ourselves (Jas 1:22). By so doing, we are secure in the Divine Word.
 
Who does not want his or her house built on a solid foundation? Become that wise person whom the Lord said, "built his house on the rock" (Mt 7:24). Christ is the rock.
 
I am praying for the grace to practice what we profess. Amen.
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 
[Thursday, Week 12:  2 Kings 24:8-17; Matthew 7:21-29] 
 
 

Grace to you!
 
One of the ways to recognize people who are devout is the tender sentiment they have towards things of God. When the things of God are violated, they feel the pain and readily are available to make things better. They are gracious in dealing with people also, seeing them as God’s children.
 
I read the purifying of the temple in Jerusalem by Judas Maccabeus, his brothers and the army of Judah, as recorded in the First Book of Maccabees chapter four, and I feel their holy desire and sense of worship. 
 
The temple was defiled when King Antiochus and his delegates established another form of worship not in line with Jewish worship, and enthroned what the Jews called the Abomination (more on that in the next reflection). We learn from this story how the people of the second century BC cherished and revered the temple of the Lord. 
 
You may want to read the story and pay attention to the details of their holy piety. 
 
As I read the story, I’m reminded of the temple of the Lord which is my body. Establishing an abomination in my temple, my body, is introducing anything that does not glorify God in my body. You know what those are, don’t you? We’ll see to it shortly.
 
I love the theology of the body as championed by Saint Pope John Paul II. It shows why the body is precious and deserves being taken care of properly. Purity of the body is an essential aspect of the purity of the soul and spirit.
 
Healthy food, balanced diet, exercising, sound sleep and feeling well rested; keeping to the purity of sexual life and intimacy; preventing toxics, such as smoke and hard drugs into our system, etc.; these are ways to keep this temple holy and pure. 
 
For instance, you’ll notice when you’re over weight, it affects everything—your work ethics, your rest, your prayer life, etc. You change your wardrobe. Those best cloths that fit may not be useful again. You feel less confident about yourself. No need to feel that way. You have the answer, lose weight. Take care of the body.
 
Scripture tells us the best way: Honoring God in our body (1 Cor 6:19-20). Honoring God in our body as described here is moral and spiritual purity. It is also about health hygiene. It’s about a healthy body in a healthy soul.
 
God has given us this body. It is precious. You may not like how one part or another of your body may look. Nonetheless, it’s the best possible way you’re made and you’re beautiful.
 
Action plan: If there is any thing in my life that has become a stumbling block to my spiritual health, this is the time to clean it out and live the joy of holiness. 
 
God love you. God bless you. 
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[Friday Week 33A: 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59; Lk 19:45-48]
 

Grace to you!
 
A concerned Catholic emailed me. She was heartbroken because of the horrible news regarding the alleged homosexual predatory actions of a retired top-ranking US Cardinal. In addition, there is the horrifying Pennsylvania Grand Jury report. Her faith was shaken. Her tears were intense. 
 
The woman isn’t in this alone. Over the past two months, many Catholics have been scandalized and horrified by the reports we read. Many clergy, bishops and priests, who are dedicated to their vows and the service of the Lord and God’s people, are in deep sorrow too. 
 
Has there been a week another saddening news doesn’t break? The cases of abuse of minors by bad apples, Judases amidst numerous devout clergy—and their manipulations, seem more real than many of us thought. As a priest, when I walk down the street or in the shopping mall wearing my roman collar, the shadow over my head seems to suggest, “Are they thinking of me as one of them too?” 
 
As I prepare this reflection before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, I’m deeply saddened. The pain is unbearable. I’m agonized by thoughts of many victims of the obnoxious practices, and the victims of other perpetrators in the priesthood, and in the wider society. 
 
As a priest, charged with the spiritual care of people like the woman who wrote me, I don’t know the right words to say to the faithful who have been scandalized by our bad example. Forgiveness isn’t enough. Zero tolerance plus holding the culprits accountable, no matter their place in the hierarchy, is necessary. I pray for the victims, their family and friends, for justice, healing and grace of restoration. I pray for all of us, the faithful, also.

I pray for the conversion of sinners too. Reparation for the sins against the vulnerable in our midst. Reparation for the sins against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as mother Mary consistently asked during the Fatima Apparition. 
 
My heart is bleeding. I feel now more than ever, since my priesthood, the pains of betrayal. My religious, pious sensitivities and love for the Lord and His Church, make me mourn to see how we cause grave wounds to the Body of Christ. 
 
I believe this is a moment of decision. In the past, during the exilic experience of the people of Israel through the desert (Jos 24), they were faced with many difficulties—social, cultural, religious, moral, economic and political. They were torn between affirming faith in God who had saved them from slavery in Egypt and choosing an alternate religious cult. 
 
The leader, Joshua, sensed their religious dilemma. He didn’t keep silent and allow it to simmer. Rather he confronted it head-on. “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Jos 24:15). When the faith is challenged by new evidence that seems to make us to question, “Why am I a Catholic?” “Why am I a believer?” “Why am I a priest?” “Why choose to enter the seminary?” It is the right time to reaffirm one’s faith. 
 
There is incredible wisdom in the Church’s Liturgy. There is wisdom in every line of the liturgical prayers. So it is in the Eucharistic celebration. Every Sunday, we are called after the homily to reaffirm our faith--The Profession of Faith.
 
We need to profess our faith as many times as possible. The profession of faith, the Creed, is a prayer and a constant reminder of why we believe what we believe. The profession is a testimony against the challenges to our faith also. Did you notice that there is no place in the Creed, where Catholics profess “I believe in the Clergy…bishops, priests, deacons?” 
 
During one of my teaching series on EWTN on “The Faith with Fr. Maurice”, also in my book,Our Journey to God, I had emphasized that a faith centered on people is an idolatrous faith. Scripture says, trust in God not in people (Ps 118:8). We are humans and capable of doing terrible things if God's grace isn't with us. Give the devil a little chance, and the consequences are disastrous.  By the way, this should not be a reason for the clergy not to lead examples consistent with their holy vocation. 
 
If you are a believer, when you face temptations to the faith, reaffirm your faith in the Lord and in His body, the Church. We can’t separate the head of the Church, Christ, from His body, the Church (Col 1:18; 24; Col 2:19; 1 Cor 12:21; Eph 5:29-30). 
 
The Lord Jesus showed us a similar example in the Gospel of John chapter six. After the long and astonishing teaching on the subject of the Eucharist, the “source and summit of the Christian life,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1324), the Lord saw that many left him. They couldn’t accept the teaching. 
 
He was left alone with the twelve. He, as God, knew their hearts. He knew he had given a teaching which only faith and professed faith can stand. He didn’t wait for them to battle with it and suppress it. Psychologists tell us that there are times suppressing a problem makes it worse. 
 
So, the Lord confronted it. He asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” (Jn 6:67). 
 
I believe this question is appropriate this day, this week and the coming weeks. Concerning the Catholic clergy sex abuse scandals, many faithful (laity and clergy) will have to deal with similar questions regarding their faith in the Lord and, more importantly, their faith in the Church, the Body of Christ and in the Eucharist. I sense that other facts may come out in the open in the coming weeks, many of which will be more troubling to the faithful. I believe the Lord is purging His Church. The question will continue to reoccur until the moment of purging is over. “Do you also wish to go.” 
 
Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:68-69.
 
I pray that Peter’s response is ours also. We profess this faith. We reaffirm it. We can’t go from the Lord. We embrace the Eucharist. We hang in there with the Lord and His Body, the Church, while we work together, chaired by the faithful laity, to see that justice is done. 
 
Culprits should be made responsible for their heinous actions. Victims will find justice through proper accountability and just restitution. Hopefully, and praying, there will be closure. In matters of this kind, it is not enough that justice is done. Justice must be seen to have been done. 
 
In the meantime, “I believe. We believe.”
 
I pray for you, for the grace of fidelity, as well as firm resolve to see that justice is done. Amen. 
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[21stSunday Ordinary Time B: Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32; Jn 6:60-69]
 

Grace to you!
 
The best way to inspire others is to lead by example. The best way to lead is to model the way. 
 
I remember a hardworking mom, who knew how to do just that. Her son started off in high school, scoring all As. As days rolled by, he began to ignore his studies, believing he would pass anyway. It wasn’t long before he hardly made a B- on his midterm.  
 
The mom saw this coming. She had been persuading her son to get serious with his academics, to no avail. Fortunately, she had a brilliant idea. She invited her son over and showed him her grades while she was in high school. 
 
The son was silent seeing that the mom had perfect scores when she was his age. She had said all she wanted. The impact on the boy was far more than all her “scolding.”
 
Sure enough, years later, after an admission into one of the Ivy League schools, the young man thanked the mom for showing him her grades. “That spoke more to me than all the theory about commitment to my studies, all the scolding…” he said.
 
Action, they say, speaks louder (and clearer) than voice. The best teacher, the best mom or dad, the best religious leader, is the one who lives what he or she stands for, what the person teaches. A sincere effort to live what we preach, despite human weaknesses, is a sure sign of integrity.
 
Speaking about the religious leaders of the time, the Lord Jesus said to the crowds and his disciples: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice (Mt 23:1-3).
 
Strong words, aren’t they? Here the Lord makes a distinction between a “teaching office” and the morality of the teacher; and, in like manner, distinguishes adherence to the truth taught from following the lifestyle of the teacher. Often, we tend to fuse the lifestyle of the teacher with what is being taught. This is risky and spiritually dangerous. 
 
This doesn’t give religious leaders or teachers the license to live in such a way as to disregard what they represent. The recent news of obnoxious clergy sexual scandals in the USA, that heinous and horrifying bad example, is a cause for serious self-examination for church leaders. Consider the unimaginable harm this does to the victims, their families and the Church as a whole. We must unite to root out this sort of evil, and see that justice is done. 
 
Saint Paul warned against showing bad example when he addressed a number of questions to those with the authority to teach and preach: “You then who teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you’ ” (Rom 2:21–24).
 
As a priest, these words speak directly to me. Do I practice what I preach? Or do I downplay one aspect or another of the gospel simply because it makes me uncomfortable or challenges my way of life? When I cherry pick what is convenient from God's Word instead of accepting and honestly committing to live all by God's grace, the consequences can be disastrous. 
 
I pray that God will give us the grace to follow the Lord and walk in his footsteps even when it’s not convenient or popular. Amen
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[Saturday Week 20 Ordinary Time A: Ez 43:1-7; Mt 23:1-12]

Grace to you! 
 
Recently, a friend from Nigeria completed a chapel in honor of God the Father. He was filled with joy that God gave him the opportunity to build Him a house where many could come and worship. For this devout Catholic, who is a successful businessman, it means so much to him than any charity he had ever done.
 
I have had opportunities of interacting with a few families who have either funded the building of a Church or chapel in their parishes or dioceses, or even on mission lands. They say the spiritual consolation flowing from being part of such holy work knows no bounds. 
 
There is a profound theological significance for a people to build a place of worship as they build their homes. Just like in ancient Israel, the presence of the temple is a symbol of God's presence among us. 
 
Once a priest was in a church getting ready for Mass. A woman, who evidently was spiritually broken, came crashing down in the church. Her sobbing could win the sympathy of the most hardened of hearts.
 
After a long period of weeping, the woman looked up and saw the priest standing by her and looking down with a prayerful gaze. She said, “At last I came in a place I felt safe and peace.” She went on to say she wasn’t a believer, but when walking by that church, she felt like coming in to find peace.
 
She explained that the aura of the church offered her what no place she had been to could offer. She was grateful there was a church whose doors were open for the broken hearted to come in and find peace. 
 
The church building reminds me that God is among us. Much so, if the Blessed Sacrament is in that sacred space.
 
God spoke through the lips of Haggai thousands of years ago: “Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house. That I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the LORD” (Haggai 1:7-8). He reminded the people, as they live in classy homes, they shouldn’t allow His house to be in ruin (v. 4).
 
Remember, when God is glorified, the earth is blessed for it. As you prioritize the comforts of your home, have you also prioritized the building or maintenance of your church?
 
Much more, our body is God’s temple (1 Cor 6:19). Keep it pure and classy.
 
May God give us the grace to make our hearts, the true temple, a home fitting for Him. Amen 
 
God love you. God bless you. 
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[Thursday Week 25 A: Hg 1:1-8; Lk 9:7-9]
 
 

Grace to you!
 
Three letters in the New Testament are called pastoral letters. They include 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus. They are called pastoral letters because they are instructions, guidelines and words of encouragement for ordained ministers—shepherds (pastors).
 
They were addressed to those desiring or in the sacrament of Holy Orders; the order of service (leadership) in the Church, namely the elders/overseers (bishops and priests) and deacons. 
 
From those letters we read the qualities expected of ordained ministers. The text of Timothy chapter three begins by saying; "If any one aspires the office of bishop, he desires a noble task" (3:1).
 
"Bishop" is Greek episkopos, which means “overseer or Bishop.” Of course, it is a noble task to be given a privilege to serve God and the Church as an overseer. 
 
Nonetheless, Scripture lists at least fifteen qualities expected of that service. Call it the skill-set of a church leader. The person must be: 

1. Irreproachable
2. Married only once 
3. Temperate 
4. Self-controlled
5. Decent 
6. Hospitable
7. Able to teach
8. Not a drunkard 
9. Not aggressive 
10. Gentle
11. Not contentious 
12. Not a lover of money
13. He must manage his own household well...for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God?
14. He should not be a recent convert
15. Have a good reputation among outsiders  (see I Tim 3:1-7).

 
For Deacons, the Letter lists these qualities. The person must be: 

1. Dignified 
2. Not deceitful
3. Not addicted to drink
4. Not greedy for sordid gain
5. Holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
6. Tested and found reliable (see 1 Tim 3:8-10).

   
Evidently, the bar for being an elder (bishop or priest) is very high. I will not comment on these lists because they are self-explanatory. As a priest, I will place this on my reading desk wall to remind me of these biblical expectations. 
 
Let me say something about the second quality "married only once." Some translations like RSV say "the husband of one wife." It is based on this that some argue the priest or bishop must be married once. But this isn't exactly what the text is saying, otherwise Saint Paul to whom this letter is attributed or in whose name a disciple of his may have written, would be requiring what he didn't practice. Recall that Saint Paul, though an elder, wasn't married. 
 
The emphasis is that those who desire ministerial priesthood should not have been married more than once. Many were already married before they were called by the Lord, as we shall see.
 
In those days, unlike the understanding today, to be married more than once would suggest that the person is either unstable, unfaithful, can’t control himself or simply following the common practice where people divorced at will—a practice Jesus Christ condemned (Mt 19:9). There was a negative feeling associated with it in the Christian community then. The Bible didn't say the person must be married once, but shouldn't be married more than once. You could already notice a pointer to self-control. Thus, what is mandatory isn't to be married, but not to be married more than once. 
 
Following the history of the Church, we know that among the Apostles of Jesus, many were married before they were called to serve as apostles. Some (like Peter) who were married lived as if they weren’t married. A few like John and Paul weren't married at all before they were called and after they were appointed apostles. Down history, “marriage not more than once” was optional for bishops and priests until the First Lateran Council in 1123 when it was formalized as an ecclesiastical discipline for the Latin (Roman) rite. 
 
There is much more to this than I can share in this brief reflection. In the meantime, though celibacy for priests isn’t a divine law, it is a unique gift, which I believe, helps the celibate keep a singularity of purpose in our commitment to ministerial service in the Church. It is a sacrifice too, and the Lord loves the sacrifice that costs the giver something. Scripture says, “Do not offer the Lord a sacrifice that costs you nothing” (2 Sam 24:24). 
 
As a celibate, I feel totally dedicated to God and His people. When I help people or do charity for anyone, I know my obligation to do so isn't because of legal justice or even social justice, but social charity. I am totally dedicated to the work of the Church and owe no one—such as a husband should owe the wife and/or his children—a primary loyalty except to God and His Church.
 
This isn't selfish. For me, it is actually an example of selflessness. In celibacy I appreciate the Lords words; “foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head” (Mt 8:20).
 
Pray for your bishops and priests. Pray for me too. 
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 
[Tuesday Week 24: 1 Tim 3:1-13; Lk 7:11-17]