Grace to you!
 
Have you ever been in a meeting where participants seem to compete with who has more accomplishments? It is all about them, and how good or accomplished they are? How did you receive those kinds of conversations? How did you feel? Did their praise of themselves win your affection?
 
There could be gains in showing what one has accomplished. There are places where this may be appropriate. But in matters of deeper and transforming life in Christ, a flamboyant demeanor is a spiritual bottleneck. Putting ourselves on a pedestal, or allowing others to do so for us, is a recipe for spiritual emptiness. We do not heal our insecurities by doing so.
 
The Lord Jesus uses two classes of people to contrast the way of humble service and ostentatious bravado. The latter he discourages using the example of the Scribe. The former is Saint Mark’s version of the Widow's Mite (see Mk 12:38-44).
 
Biblical experts, which I am not, could tell us so much about the intricacies of these events. Two things are happening as if in the same day or chronologically. They may give us some background as to why and how the events and teachings were arranged the way they are. They could also go into distinctions of form and historical, textual, and literary criticisms of the text. 
 
As a believer and a person of the simple faith that does incredible miracles, one sees the inspired narratives as arranged in order. As is, they sound like music to the ear and a symphony of incredible divine messages, God's inspired word.
 
I see the two events as two acts in the implementation of a faith-centered life of service. The first is what not to do as a believer. The second is what to do, the better way to go. 
 
What not to do is the showiness of the sampled Scribes. The Lord says they like to display their claims to moral superiority for public praise. They love places of honor and embrace sycophantic gestures. I would say they are like the politicians who have a knack for PR and public accolades. It is not the way to go in following the Lord. In other words, the way of the gospel calls us to an honest and unassuming lifestyle.
 
Contrast the above with the recommendations of what to do. It is seen in the example of that poor widow (Mk 12:41-44), who no one noticed but whose offerings to the Lord was a total giving of self from the poverty and lowliness of heart. Saint Luke uses two Greek adjectives to describe this woman. She was not only poor (Lk 21:2); she was utterly destitute (Lk 21:3). One could say she was without hope about sustenance about tomorrow. Her humble disposition could be compared to the Mother of the Lord, whom God exalts from her humble state (Lk 1:48). It is because they do not seek exaltation but selfless love, loyalty, and service they are exalted. Exaltation becomes the fruit of their humble commitments to selfless offerings. 
 
Those acceptable before God learn the great secret that the way to glory is from a humble, lowly state. They are also those who know that loyalty to God entails being broken to self and being ready to pour oneself for a higher cause. Those know that only when what we love so much is set free can it be an incredible asset, a great value to humanity. 
 
God shows us a great model in the Son. Jesus Christ loved his own that he demonstrated it in the self-emptying of the cross. Nothing is lost in a keen sense of selfless sacrifice. But everything is lost in preservation without the risk of emptying unto others. When the values we cherish are lived out or set free, they become transformative; impacting and benefiting others.
 
Dare to offer your priceless gift of self and values in the humble service of God and others, in whichever way possible. Nothing is lost. Everything is gained. "Those who sow in tears reap with rejoicing" (Ps 126:5).
 
Praying for the grace to execute in humble service, using the values we cherish. Amen. 
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu.
 
[Readings, Saturday, Week 9: 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Mk 12:38-44]

Grace to you!
 
Recently, I was chatting with a friend. He said that watching the news these days is a joke. If you watch a left-leaning news media, you hear the complete opposite of the right-leaning media. You wonder, are these talking about the same events or something completely different? Agenda setting and the framing of stories have become so skewed that, to use the word of the French film critique Jean Baudrillard, “reality is driven out of reality” (2008, p.4). 
 
You know the proverbial "half-cup full" or "half cup empty." It is now "half cup what" and "full cup what"? When one wants to find faults, faults are everywhere. When one wants to see something positive and good, they are also everywhere. When one wants to see nothing, everything becomes bleak and mere spurious phantoms. The perspective with which we engage an inquiry matters a lot.
 
If you have a supervisor who wants you fired, nothing you do would ever be positive. They would find fault in them or look at them with the eye of “it has to be better” when they can’t even do it better if they were you. So is life. 
 
I use these examples to describe the investigation into the truth of the gospel. If one wants to hear God whisper through his Word, there are resounding truths to grasp. If one has a positive attitude towards understanding the faith, such a person would have lots of exciting news to relish. Saint Anselm's faith-seeking understanding approach rings a bell.   
 
The Scribe, who asked Jesus a question about "which commandment is the first of all" (Mk 12:28), is a great example. He approached the Lord with a positive attitude and a good disposition to discovery. He saw how his fellow Scribes had tested the Lord and wanted to trap him on the question about the resurrection (See Mark 12:18-27). He came from a different perspective. Not as a tempter but as an open enquirer. 
 
As a Scribe, he must have been well familiar with the Rabbinic interpretations of the Torah. He must have known the decalogue pretty well. He must have learned the 613 Law precepts set forth by the scholarly Rabbis. Among them include what to do (248) and what not to do (365) plus all the fine details between aspects of those precepts that are light violations and those that are grave. He must have seen how all were drawn not just from the decalogue but also liturgical rituals, religious precepts, and the rabbinic interpretations of the natural law. He knows quite a few things about the Law. Yet, he comes to Jesus with a simple heart of discovery.  
 
Of course, the Lord responds positively to such a heart. No one who comes seeking God with a genuine heart who does not find. "Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you" (Mt 7:7).
 
The Lord responds with the simplest and clearest summary of the Law and the Prophets. The first of the commandments is the love of God, and the second is the love of one another (Mk 12:30-31). In other words, the greatest of the Law is charity; it is love. As Saint Paul said, “love is the greatest” (1 Cor 13:13). 
 
We see the openness of the Scribe demonstrated in his response. Only Saint Mark (12:32-33) documents this his response. The Scribe reaffirms what the Lord said, confirming it was consistent with the Torah and the Prophets. The Lord was pleased with the man's insight too.
 
You see, in following the Lord, approach with an open mind, openness to discovery, and faith-deepening. In the faith practice, when we come with the affectionate disposition, we are better for it. In our relationships with one another, some touch of pure love makes a whole lot of difference. With pure love, the kind the Lord tells us is the first; we will be serving the Lord in a big way and making the world a better place. "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8). 
 
The famous line from Saint Augustine rings true: "Love and do whatever." He means here agape love, Christ-centered love.
 
I pray we love as we are loved in God. 
 
God love you. God bless you. 
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu
 
 
[Thursday Week Ordinary Time Week 9: 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Mark 12:28-34]
 
 
 

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! 
 
A man was invited to a meeting of a big corporation. His dad passed when he was a baby and he was under the care of foster parents until he turned eighteen and went his way. He didn't feel so connected with his foster parents, having moved from one to another and then a third. He had a challenging child upbringing.
 
One day he received a letter inviting him to a meeting in a big corporation. He didn’t apply for a job in the company, nor did he know anybody working there. First he thought he wouldn't go, but at the last minute jumped in his rickety car and went. 
 
At the reception, he looked like an odd man out, wearing jeans he hadn't washed in months. His appearance didn't fit, yet he was ushered to the conference room where five prestigiously dressed board members were seated waiting for his arrival.  
 
“Welcome Sam, “ they said with the most gracious and warm handshakes. Then came the news: “You're a part owner of this company.”
 
It happened that his dad, whom he never knew, bought many shares from the company and he was included as his heir. He looked up and down, speechless. 
 
Sam's experience could help in our understanding of St. Paul's Letter to the Romans, chapter eleven from verse 29 to 36. He speaks of the favor of God that came to non-Jewish believers though no one deserves it. 
 
For the chosen people, who hadn’t accepted the invitation or chose not to accept it, Saint Paul says their disobedience opened the door for others as well. God knows how to make good come out of any situation. Romans 8:28 reminds me that with God all things work unto good for those who believe and trust. 
 
God has things figured out. Paul’s exhortation encourages us to pray and hope that our obedience could inspire unbelievers.
 
In all, the mercy of God is deeper than we think. His mercy patiently waits even when we live like an orphan without hope.
 
Many times, divine invitation surprises us. It is like Sam’s surprise meeting for a life-changing inheritance. God surprises us with the grace of heavenly inheritance, which we don’t merit. We find in accepting and living this invitation, the past will become a bygone and a new experience of grace and joy is found. 
 
I pray you find joy in your call as a favored child of God. Amen 
 
God love you. God bless you. 
 
[Monday Week 31 A: Rom 11:29-36; all 14:12-14]
 
 

Grace to you! 
 
A college student asked a classmate whom she admires how she developed a positive and authentic self-identity. The girl has some unique self-confidence. Many of her classmates wonder why she isn't afraid of being criticized for her sense of virtuous life.
 
She replied, “I'm just being me.”
 
“Being me” is the simplest way to describe the state of mind of someone who has an authentic, positive self-image. The person lives with such audacity knowing that one must not live ones’ life because of what others say or think. Otherwise, one would live to please others, a task that is practically dreadful. It’s rather frustrating. What is important is to live one’s life, “be one’s self.” In my opinion, it is one of the most blessed and pleasant things to be one’s self in the practice of virtue. 
 
To live virtuously, whether people love it or not, is wise, because even the life of vice isn’t a ticket to everyone loving you. So, live virtuous anyway. 
 
Reading Saint Paul’s line in Romans chapter one, verse sixteen, I’m captivated by his word: "I am not ashamed of the gospel...." In other words, one could say that Saint Paul's identity is so rooted in the gospel (the Good News of Christ—life and grace in Christ which is salvation) that he feels the audacity of his faith-experience. His faith-experience is for him his identity, an authentic positive self-identity. He is not afraid of living his life as a believer in Christ. 
 
One could see his boldness all the way throughout his missionary works. Not surprising that is why he had strong objections against Peter’s (Cephas) pretentious life in Antioch. He rebuked Peter publicly. Why? Because Peter separated himself from the gentiles he had been eating with because some Jewish believers who belonged to the “circumcision party,” came to visit him in Antioch. By doing this, the first Pope (Peter) wanted to please his Jewish brothers (Jewish converts from St. James) to the detriment of the gentiles who didn’t believe in circumcision. Saint Paul couldn’t stand this sort of hypocrisy (see Gal 2:11-21). 
 
These days, people emphasize being one’s self. Yet some believers say, “Let’s be like others.” Another way of saying this is, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” This is the death of authentic self-identity. 
 
If one lives a life that is not his or her own, such a life is so conflicted that peace of soul is improbable. Conflicting self-identity is terrible. You don’t wish anyone such a life. 
 
There is nothing nobler than to be one’s self. If you’re a believer, there’s no need to be ashamed of the gospel you believe in. You don’t be a believer and a non-believer at the same time. It isn’t worth that stress. For instance, if you could freely express your faith in private, why can't you do so in your personal blogs, personal pages and social media sites? I don’t mean preaching as church ministers do. I mean simply being you. Why live two identities, two personas? 
 
If you are proud of your identity as a believer and it truly influences your life to practice virtue, such as showing love to others, forgiving, being kind, hardworking, being just in your relationships, etc., what is wrong about letting people know who you are? What is wrong about allowing others to see what informs your “virtuous” outlook to life? Remember, this is not about blowing one’s trumpet. It’s about being YOU. 
 
Personally, I believe that no one should be forced to become someone else; or behave in ways not consistent with their identity and core beliefs. It doesn’t matter what those beliefs are. If they are good, we praise them. If evil, we have laws against them. Divine law too. Authentic self-identity is living the truth about one’s self not living the lie. 
 
May God give us the grace to live authentically, to be ourselves. Amen
 
God Love you. God bless you. 
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[Tuesday Week 28 Ordinary Time A: Rom 1:16-25; Lk 11:37-41]

Grace to you!
 
Sunday last week, I shared with you a powerful testimony about the gift of faith. I also explained the audacity of faith. Today, may I reflect on the gratitude for God’s gift of faith. 
 
Have you surprised someone with a precious gift before, or at least, you thought you did? It could be your child, your employee or a friend. You went the extra mile to make it possible. You put lots of love in it. 
 
You waited too long to hear if the person received the gift. You walk past or have an eye-to-eye glimpse of the person and instinctively think, “I hope the gift was received.” You realized later the gift was received, though the beneficiary never cared to say, “thank you.” This is definitely not nice, or is it? 
 
How about flipping the coin here? You were the beneficiary of the gift. You forgot to thank the giver of the gift. This is not who you are; maybe you forgot. Months or even years after, you realized you didn’t say thank you. You will feel terrible about yourself and would want a do over, won’t you? 
 
We receive many gifts from God. God’s gifts are generous and abundant. Due to how numerous and frequent those gifts are, many times we tend to forget to thank the Lord. We take life for granted, and with it, all the good things that happen to us. Did you not know that the act of faith is equally the act of gratitude? 
 
Living the life of faith is living the life of gratitude to God for all the special gifts to us. If you are a believer, thank God for the gift of faith you received. We are privileged to know God and to love God. This knowledge, this faith, is a rare gift. Please don’t take it for granted. Be grateful!
 
The Gospel of Luke 17:11-19 tells a story of ten lepers who were cured of their leprosy by simply a word spoken by Jesus: “Go, show yourself to the priest.” They believed the Lord’s word and received healing miracle. Believing God’s word opens the door to miracles. 
 
You have to understand that when Jesus spoke that word, the lepers, coming from Jewish culture, had a sense of what it meant, namely healing for them. For the Jew of the time, ‘go see a priest’ means to confirm you’re healed (see Lev. 13:49; 14:2). The priest confirms the healing, not the leper himself or herself. There is a metaphor here about how the healing forgiveness of God is confirmed by the priest. Note also that for the Jews of the time, leprosy was regarded as a sign of sin. 
 
The lepers, having believed, were healed. Yet, only one came back to give thanks to Jesus. Jesus said to the one, “Stand up and go, your faith has saved you” (Luke 17:19). Here lies the difference between the first acceptance of faith and the redeeming faith. Redeeming faith lives a life of gratitude to God. It transforms into worship—Eucharist (etymologically eucharistia - giving thanks). It’s in Sacred worship that the faith we have received mature and bear fruits, leading to salvation. 
 
We also see the redeeming faith in the gratitude of the gentile Syrian governor, Naaman, who plunged himself into the Jordan seven times, obeying the word of the prophet Elisha; and, he was cured of leprosy (2 Kings 5:44). 
 
Here again, we have another metaphor; that of Baptism. When we are plunged into the water of purification and are reborn in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we receive wholeness from Original sin. We receive sanctifying grace too. Free indeed!
 
At first, Naaman doubted, but when he believed, there was healing. In response, he offered gifts to the prophet, though the prophet didn’t accept it (sign of detachment). In Naaman, one sees a heart grateful for what the Lord has done for him. His confession was the saving part: “I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the LORD” (2 Kgs 5:17).
 
I hope you are grateful for the gift you have received. 
 
Lord, give me the grace to always give thanks for all your blessings. May I give thanks too in every situation I find myself, knowing that you dwell on the praises of your people (Ps 22:3). Amen. 
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[28th Sunday C 2 Kgs 5:14-17; 2 Tm 2:8-13; Lk 17:11-19]

Grace to you!
 
Our reflections today, up to the next three weeks, will be based on First Corinthians. Exceptions will be Sundays and feast days. 
 
It is fun witnessing the inauguration of new parishes. One observes the joy and jubilation of the faith community as they found their local parish. Before long, the new-found parish would begin the actual work of building their faith community, not simply architectural infrastructure, but more importantly, the building of persons and sustaining the faith life of the community. Excitements begin to fade. Real work of faith isn’t a frosting on the cake experience. 
 
Similar things happen at the individual, personal level. You recall the time you became aware of God’s love in your life. The initial joys last for a while. Some longer than others. You were on the pinnacle of the mount of spiritual experiences where you see only the transfigured, glorified face of the Risen Lord. Like Peter, you want to remain there and not get down (Mt 17:4). 
 
However, the Lord would want you to get down to the real world. Then will begin the actual work of faith, with its struggles and difficulties in everyday life. The old self may begin to rear its ugly head. Human frailties would surge in different ways. 
 
It may be personal, your own weaknesses acting as “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7). It could also be the shocking news about some actions of some members of the faith community—church leadership or the laity—, pushing you to reexamine why you believe what you believe. It is then that your faith life will be tested. Then would be the opportunity to spiritual maturity. 
 
The early Church of Corinth faced many challenges. They had accepted the faith preached to them by the apostle Paul during his second missionary journey in collaboration with Silas and Timothy (Acts 18:1-18). The event is said to have occurred between 50-52 AD (Navarre Bible, 2005) or 52-AD53 (MacEvilly, 1898). Another disciple, Apollos, who was renowned for his preaching eloquence, had contributed to the growth of this church after Paul left.  
 
The Corinthian Church, those born of Christ, would also deal with human frailty. They would deal with the natural tendency to infighting, one camp against another. They would deal with cases of immorality, which was a sort of the way of life, the culture of where they lived in Corinth. Recall that before they accepted Christ, the Corinthians embraced the Roman goddess Venus, the so-called goddess of prostitution, victory, fertility and “love.” One could say their world, like ours today, was a sexually revolutionized community. 
 
The Corinthian Church witnessed firsthand the struggles of living in a world where Christianity offered a different and higher standard of life and morality. They were not exempt from the temptations that come from where they live. Initial joys are over. The moment of building and faith maturity has come. 
 
Paul’s letter is that of a pastor, writing to offer solutions to a problem among the sheepfold. He is problem-solving. He begins with a warm, grace and hope-filled greetings and prayer for the people (1 Cor 1:1-9). His tone is Godly and friendly. Sometimes he rebukes. Yet he speaks to them with the heart of a mother and the voice of love as one chosen by Christ himself and who makes an effort to lead Christ’s way. He speaks to them like a shepherd who wants the sheep protected from danger and saved. 
 
His central message is to correct error as well as shed the light of the gospel on sound doctrine and the unity of the Body of Christ. It will be a praise to the Lord if we, as pastors, speak in similar tone.
 
As we continue on this reflection based on the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, we pray the Lord to enlighten our hearts to see the richness of being members of the Body of Christ. May we also see how important it is for us to understand the diversity of our gifts and how to work together to build the Church and the community despite the struggles we face. 
 
Praying for the unity of the Church. Amen. 
 
God love you. God bless you.
 
Fr. Maurice Emelu 
 
[Thursday Week 21 Ordinary Time B: 1 Cor 1:1-9; Mt 24:42-51]